'If the hill was still there, people would have had no difficulty understanding why the place was chosen to house the Marine Police headquarters. Now the setting has been destroyed. It shouldn't be a Tourism Commission-led project. It is a conservation and cultural issue and should be handled by the Home Affairs Bureau.'
Ada Wong Ying-kay, chairwoman and founder of the Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture
'The large trees which have historical importance were preserved. The wooded area was cleared in order to meet government requirements for widening Canton Road and the overall development of the site. On completion of the project its contribution to the landscape and visual amenity of the district will be restored and enhanced'
A Cheung Kong spokeswoman
'The original landscape and the entire character of the site has been lost. The damage is irreversible. I want to know why the government is allowing it to happen, and I hope it is not going to happen to the former police headquarters in Central.'
Ng Cho-nam, director of Conservancy Association
'The setting and the environment are part of the heritage value of a place. While laws in Hong Kong protect historic buildings, they don't protect the site.'