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A Sha Tin temple yesterday dismissed  a suggestion by the Lands Department that it had breached the terms of its land lease by running an urn storage business. 
The Sai Lam (Salvation) Foundation,  which overseas Sai Lam Temple,  ran a notice in the media saying it had sought legal advice regarding the terms of the lease before its renovation projects. 
'Our understanding is the project has not breached the terms of the land lease ... we disagree with the query raised by the Lands Department,' the notice read. 
The temple had appointed Deacons law firm to follow the matter up with the department, it said.  
The temple argues that countless urns had been placed inside the temple over the past 80 years and the government had not objected. 'Our temple has always handled issues related to niches in a responsible manner and according to the law,' it said. 
The temple remained disused for several years until a businessman bought it four years ago. It has since been renovated to provide spots for 3,000 urns. About half had already been sold, according to two agents who specialise in selling urn spaces. 
Tang Chor-yin, 67, paid HK$80,000 for two urn niches - for himself and his 62-year-old wife. Now he worries about their legality.
 'I was surprised when I learned the news. I am worried. Now I can do nothing,  as I have already paid about HK$20,000. If it is illegal, I will ask the temple to return my money and file complaints to the Consumer Council,' he said. 
Buying a niche at Sai Lam Temple can cost between HK$10,000 and HK$200,000. These prices are cheaper than other privately run facilities, but more expensive than niches at public columbariums.
Deacons also issued a statement in newspapers yesterday that said: 'Our law firm has been authorised by Sai Lam Temple to contact the district lands office to resolve differences and reach consensus.'  
The temple and Deacons declined to respond to phone enquiries. 
Sha Tin district councillor Tony Kan Chung-nin said the temple applied to the Town Planning Board for a renovation project involving an increased number of urn spaces a year ago, and it was rejected.
'I am a member of the board, and I objected to its plan as the location is too close to a residential area, and also Po  Fook Hill  [cemetery] is already providing urn spaces,' Kan, a solicitor, said. 'I was shocked when I learned about the news. I don't know what is going on and why it now has so many niches for sale.' 
Kan said the temple must obtain approval from both the Town Planning Board and the Lands Department, and pay a land premium  to build more niches. 'As far as I know, the temple has not filed an appeal after the board rejected its application in 2008,' he said. 
A spokeswoman for the Lands Department said a letter was sent to the temple's legal representative to restate the department's interpretation of the land lease. 'Since Sai Lam Temple pointed out that it disagreed with the department's stand, this case might involve legal action. So it is inappropriate to comment on the case,' the spokeswoman said. 
Earlier, the Lands Department sent the temple a letter which said it had received complaints that the storage of urns there was against the terms of the land lease. The temple has been ordered to stop taking in new urns, and the department is now following up the case.
Secretary for Food and Health Dr York Chow Yat-ngok  said  the Sai Lam Temple would have to cease offering a columbarium service if  it contravened the terms of the land lease.



Temple denies urn business breaches terms of land lease