Victoria Peak hotel go-ahead slammed as 'hasty'

Transport and planning chiefs were accused by district councillors yesterday of a lack of foresight in hastily approving a proposal for a 97-year-old mansion on The Peak to be converted into a hotel.

Central and Western district councillor Joseph Chan Ho-lim of the Liberal Party slammed the two departments for allowing the conversion of the four-storey property at 27 Lugard Road despite strong opposition, and for not giving enough time to a public consultation.

A motion put forth by Chan to oppose the development received the unanimous support of 15 other council members. Two members abstained.

Chan criticised the Transport Department for not taking into account potential traffic hazards and the fact that Lugard Road was the first section of the Hong Kong Trail, which is ranked as one of the world's top 10 hiking trails by the Lonely Planet travel guide.

The mansion was also put forward to become a grade-two historic building earlier this year.

Chan said the road, the only one leading into and out of the site, measured just 1.8 metres at its widest point. Vehicles using it would pose a danger to the hundreds of hikers and tourists who frequented the area, he said.

"Cars using the road will have to share it with pedestrians, with only the space of a hand in between, making it extremely dangerous," said Chan.