Hong Kong Peak residents counter historic mansion demolition with green belt site plan
Residents living next to Aberdeen Country Park say developer should be allowed to erect a taller building next to 128-year-old Peak house
A group of residents living close to a 128-year-old European mansion near The Peak has put forward a new development and conservation proposal, amid a deadlock over a commercial development plan and an attempt to save the historic house.
Carrick, a grade one historic building at 23 Coombe Road, was initially set to be demolished as its owner wanted to build a luxury residence there. The company, Juli May, suspended the demolition plan last year after the government offered a land swap aimed at saving the house.
Both sides agreed on the use of a piece of green belt land opposite the house as an alternative development site. But in March last year the company withdrew its application to the Town Planning Board for rezoning of the alternative site after residents and Wan Chai district council opposed building on the site next to Aberdeen Country Park.
Juli May was part of Hutchison Whampoa before the firm was reorganised within parent CK Hutchison Holdings in May. There has since been no further update on the firm’s ownership.
Last month, the owner submitted a renewed application seeking to rezone the same green belt site – this time sparking a wider opposition campaign.
District councillor Ivan Wong Wang-tai said the bureau had offered three or four other plots of government land but the developer did not like them.
“Of course the developer insisted on having the Coombe Road site as it has a full sea view and will fetch the best price.
