Only way to conserve Lugard Road property is to keep it as residence
I agree with the letter by J. Lee Rofkind ("Conversion to hotel will not save mansion", July 26).
I am one of those who opposes the hotel development, and I lived at 27 Lugard Road for over 12 years. Based on my knowledge and experience of the property and its neighbourhood, am I, according to Dr Lee, "completely wrong, misguided and misinformed"?
I fail to see how gutting a perfect interior and subdividing it into 13 small rooms can be regarded as "conservation". Conservation goes beyond just preserving bricks and mortar.
Lugard Road itself is a heritage site, and No27 is part of this heritage. Anyone genuinely concerned about conservation would keep the house as it is, as a family residence.
It has been fastidiously maintained over the years and is in perfect condition. There is no valid reason to demolish or disfigure it.
I have driven in and out of Lugard Road close to 10,000 times over the years and am more qualified than Dr Lee on traffic issues. With ever increasing human traffic, it has become too hazardous to drive along there.