Proposed height limits on planned private hospital in Hong Kong may mean rethink for builder Anglican Church

A planned 25-storey private hospital in Hong Kong’s business hub could be sent back to the drawing board if a proposed height restriction is endorsed.

The Planning Department has called for a height limit on the historic Bishop’s House compound in Central, where the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui – the city’s Anglican Church – wanted to build the not-for-profit hospital.

Two options were proposed for the site, one stipulating a height limit equivalent to 25 storeys, but the other only 20 storeys. The second option would require a major rethink.

“This will delay the project which seeks to provide much needed health care services for the community,” the department said in a paper on Thursday. The Town Planning Board will discuss the amendments on Friday.

Neighbouring buildings in the area, such as LKF Tower and Glenealy Tower which are covered by a separate planning blueprint, have similar height restrictions.

The proposal has drawn a public backlash for fears it may ruin the atmospheric streetscape.

The Sheng Kung Hui compound includes four heritage buildings constructed between 1845 and 1919 and sits within one of Hong Kong’s most historic areas, containing declared monuments such as Government House and St John’s Cathedral.

Concern group fails in bid to stop 25-storey hospital plan in Central

The project also drew controversy because it was not subjected to the scrutiny of the statutory watchdog as building a hospital falls within the scope of permitted uses and the site was not covered by any height restrictions.

Central district was left free of height limits after the government prioritised finding land to address the housing crisis from 2012.

Some 21 government bureaus and departments had no objections to the proposed amendments.

The Planning Department said neither option would cause adverse traffic or air ventilation effects. However, it would have a moderate to significant visual impact if the development was 25 storeys high. A pedestrian standing at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central would be unable to see Two IFC – the second tallest building in the city.

The Sheng Kung Hui said the lower restriction would have a huge impact on its plans, which were already at an advanced stage.

“Fewer floors will mean our cost of building a non-profit hospital will rise and that cost will have to be transferred to customers,” said Canon Peter Koon Ho-ming, provincial secretary general of the church.

The new development would provide 293 beds, 12 operating theatres and 90 car parking spaces by 2024.

The Government Hill Concern Group, an organisation that had previously tried to foil the plans with a separate rezoning application, said even the lowest height restrictions were too lax.

“Such a large development is not compatible with the cultural and visual landscape and would have an adverse impact on the transport, ventilation and the environment,” group convenor Katty Law Ngar-ning said.