Rare plants and mature trees in the garden of former chief secretary Sir David Akers-Jones are likely to be destroyed under a plan to demolish his home in a road-widening project.
An enlarged single carriageway of Castle Peak Road between Sham Tseng and Ka Loon Tseng will plough through Dragon View, the home of Sir David and Lady Akers-Jones for the past 10 years.
The couple planted rare species in their seaview garden, with swimming pool, which overlooks Urmston Road shipping channel and North Lantau.
Lady Akers-Jones said she was more upset by the loss of mature trees and rare plants than being forced to move house.
'What is annoying to me is that no one has come here to see what they are doing - we have some trees here which are 70 years old.
'I don't mind so much the house . . . it is all the trees here.' The garden is home to two mature flame trees - also known as Flame of the Forest or Flamboyant Trees - several banyans and the only three specimens of the rare tabubea in the territory.
Her husband had been upset, she said. 'He was terribly upset . . . he was the colour of that magnolia,' she said, pointing to an angry-red blossom in the garden, where the couple take a morning dip, surrounded by flowers and birds.