Letters to the Editor, August 02, 2013
Lugard Road at The Peak is a popular walking path, notable for its views and tranquillity. The new landlord of 27 Lugard Road, a grade II historic building completed in 1916, has applied to develop this almost 100-year-old family residency into a boutique hotel.

Lugard Road at The Peak is a popular walking path, notable for its views and tranquillity.
The new landlord of 27 Lugard Road, a grade II historic building completed in 1916, has applied to develop this almost 100-year-old family residency into a boutique hotel. The 900-metre footpath leading to the house is on average only 1.9 metres wide.
It cannot support the extra motorised traffic generated by the hotel and the negative impact to the surroundings will be very significant.
Lugard Road is narrow and there are several parts of it where a vehicle and pedestrians cannot coexist and pedestrians would be at risk from cars.
The proposed use is not compatible with the surrounding land uses within a country park environment. The area is irreplaceable and is an iconic place for recreation for all Hongkongers and tourists. It must not be degraded and commercialised for the private benefit of a selected few tourists. This case will set a precedent for the demolition of other old and beautiful houses in the area. To erect two glass villas adjacent to it is a hideous idea.
I lived at 27 Lugard Road from 1999 to 2012. The property is in pristine condition. I know the neighbourhood better than most and it is obvious having a hotel along this narrow footpath will do more harm than good.