JOHN BATTEN GALLERY / MORE TOWERS OR OPEN SPACE? /

Rezoning of Former Police Quarters

Hollywood Rd & Aberdeen Street, Central

MORE TOWERS OR OPEN SPACE?

Introduction

On 2 February 2007, the Town Planning Board approved the building of two 30-storey residential towers on this historic site despite public opposition and the rejection of this plan by the Central & Western District Council.

Myself and two other residents who live in and near Mid-levels have (again) applied to the Town Planning Board to rezone the Former Police Quarters to use this site as a park (zoning: ‘Open Space') and community facilities (zoning: ‘GIC').

We believe that making a legal challenge to aspects of the Government's plans for the redevelopment of Central will put both the Government and the Town Planning Board 'on notice' about the public's feelings about the pending destruction of Central. Full explanations about our application and reasons for seeking rezoning are at the links below.

March 2007 Update - Additional Information Uncovered & Extension of Public Comments until 10 April 2007

The public comment period about our application to rezone the Former Police Quarters finished on 23 February 2007 and - thank you, with the support of the public - we collected 1,200 letters of support. BUT, further public comment can now be made until 10 April 2007 - because:

Over the last month we have uncovered ADDITIONAL information about the remarkable history of the site – the land was acquired by the Hong Kong government in 1877 to build the Central School, later Queen's College; but prior to this, the site also housed Hong Kong's first city temple and the city's guardian god, Shing Wong (hence Shing Wong Street that runs on one edge of the site). We also uncovered a traffic impact study confirming our contention that traffic in the area was overloaded and the building of two residential tower blocks on this site would lead to very serious traffic problems.

We have submitted this additional information to the Town Planning Board (to see our full submission – click point #4 in the links on the right) and they consider that this new information warrants a further period of public comment. A new three-week public comment period will end on 10 April 2007.

To make our application to the Town Planning Board stronger we are AGAIN seeking your support by WRITING LETTERS OF SUPPORT FOR REZONING to the Town Planning Board. If you wrote a letter during the last public comment period, you can AGAIN write another letter.

Support letters must REACH the Town Planning Board by 10 April 2007 (quoting application number Y/H3/2). You may use the sample letter from the link on the right - please also add your own comments.

Many thanks for your support.

John Batten  

Contact details:
Tel: 28541018 or e-mail: batten@netvigator.com
Katty Law - email:  ktylaw@gmail.com

There are THREE main issues about this site:

Issue 1: The site is HISTORIC and an important HERITAGE site

This piece of land was sold in the 1840s and was the original site of Shing Wong Temple (hence Shing Wong Street on one edge of this site); Shing Wong was Hong Kong's ‘city god' – a guardian god whose image can be seen in Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road. Shing Wong Temple was demolished in the 1870s to allow the building of Queen's College – the school's original granite walls and stairs still exist on the site. Sun Yat-sen attended the laying of the foundation stone and the site lies between the historic Victoria Prison and Man Mo Temple – the site exudes history! After Queen's College was badly damaged in WWII the school relocated to Causeway Bay in the 1950s, the site was then used to house non-commissioned police staff and their families (including a young Donald Tsang whose father was a police sergeant) until 1997.

Issue 2: OVER-DEVELOPMENT

This area is a traditional low-rise residential area and the Planning Department now plans to allow the development of two 30-storey residential blocks in an area that suffers a lack of open space and parkland; severe traffic congestion; and the trapping of air pollution in narrow streets.

We are not against development, but believe this publicly owned site should continue to be used by the community. As we are all aware, a good peaceful lifestyle suffers with overdevelopment - loss of light, open views and an increase in noise and pollution.

Issue 3: LACK OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Between the 1840s until 1997 this site was zoned for public and community use, then suddenly and without any public discussion and little notification the site was re-zoned in 1997 so it could be used for residential use in anticipation for its eventual public auction. The residents of Central & Mid-levels have not been consulted about how this site should be used.

WE PROPOSE THAT THE SITE BE AN OPEN PARK & COMMUNITY CENTRE - the community centre will include a residential elderly people's home; community hall; library and student study rooms. It will be set within a park with grass and trees; retaining all historic walls and features of the site.