Owner Fined $806,000 for Failing to Remove Unauthorised Building Structures in North District

2025-11-19 11:00 Last Updated At：11:14

Property owner fined over $800,000 for not complying with removal orders

An owner was convicted and fined $806,000 in total, of which $182,000 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts yesterday (November 18) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 6 000 square metres across 13 sections of a lot in D.D. 52, Fu Tei Au, North District. Since the Lands Department would not issue a certificate of exemption for the unauthorised building works (UBWs) and the UBWs were also carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), 13 removal orders were served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal orders, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (November 19), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Delegation Explores Beijing and Xiong'an for Insights on Northern Metropolis University Town Development

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei (with photos/video)

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 1) continued its visit. Representatives from the eight University Grants Committee-funded universities also joined the delegation today. They visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, which are listed as part of the "one core and two wings" national development strategy, to learn about practical experience in large-scale new area planning and construction, with a view to providing solid reference for the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

In the morning, the delegation visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, touring the planning exhibition hall, the Yunhe Business District, the Beijing Library and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. They learned about the overall planning and development of the Center, its experience in attracting and concentrating higher education resources, as well as promoting the integration of the industry, academic and research sectors. They also observed the canal-side development and conservation and the construction of major public cultural facilities there.

Mr Chan said that the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center has been developed into a world-class harmonious and liveable demonstration area through high-standard planning, green and smart development, and a model of integration between campus and city. He said he hopes to draw on its valuable experience in relieving city functions, sharing resources, and innovation ecosystems, thereby providing practical inspiration for the top-level design, smart campus development and sustainable growth of the NMUT.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, touring the comprehensive service centre of Xiong'an's start-up area. They learned about its planning and construction, as well as its "one-stop" integrated services for relieving Beijing of functions that are not essential to its role as the nation's capital. Subsequently, the delegation visited the University Town of Fifth Cluster North Collaborative Innovation Exhibition Hall and the Beijing Forestry University Xiong'an Campus Smart Exhibition Hall and project construction site.

Mr Chan said that the first batch of Beijing universities' campuses in Xiong'an has entered a large-scale construction stage, achieving campus-city integration, deep integration of industry and education, and smart and green development, injecting strong innovative vitality into the new area. He added that the delegation learned about Xiong'an New Area's experience in fields such as higher education institution and industry linkage, infrastructure-led development, and sustainable planning. It will provide valuable insights for the high-quality planning and construction of the NMUT, helping it develop into a hub for international education, innovation, and technology.

Mr Chan, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and other members of the delegation returned to Beijing tonight and will continue their visit tomorrow (April 2).

Owner Fined $806,000 for Failing to Remove Unauthorised Building Structures in North District

HK

Owner Fined $806,000 for Failing to Remove Unauthorised Building Structures in North District

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