This Sept 12, 2023 aerial photo shows landslide caused by a rainstorm at a Redhill Peninsula luxury estate in Tai Tam in Hong Kong. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong government has issued removal orders to the owners of four houses at Redhill Peninsula after an investigation found “serious unauthorized building works”.

The Buildings Department and the Lands Department also started a large-scale joint operation on Friday to kick-start an inspection of the suspected non-compliant houses on the seafront. 

“If necessary, the government will apply to the court for warrants and exercise powers in accordance with the law to enable the two departments to enter the houses for inspection and collection of evidence," a government spokesman said on Friday.

The breach concerned was revealed following an earlier landslide that happened on the slope where the four houses are located, the government said on Friday.

The government said its contractor will soon complete the urgent repair works for the government slope on the seafront of Redhill Peninsula involved in the landslide.

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After an investigation, the Buildings Department issued removal orders to the owners of four residences – houses 70, 72, 74 and 76.

If necessary, the government will apply to the court for warrants and exercise powers in accordance with the law to enable the two departments to enter the houses for inspection and collection of evidence.

Spokesman, HKSAR govt

They are required to appoint registered building professionals to submit remedial proposals and building plans, and reinstate the affected parts of the buildings in accordance with the plans upon the Building Department’s approval and consent.

The reinstatement works should be started within 90 days and completed within 150 days from Friday, the issuance date of the orders.

Three houses – 70, 72 and 74 – have also unlawfully occupied government land, the government said, adding that the Lands Department has issued notices to the owners to demolish the structures on government land.

The demolition works must be completed within 150 days, it added.

Since the occupied locations involve a government slope, the Lands Department asked the relevant owners to submit a demolition proposal to the government in 30 days for vetting in order to ensure safety.

The owners who will fail to comply with the removal order or the Lands Department’s notice without a reasonable excuse will be prosecuted, the government warned.

If unauthorized structures damage government slopes, the government will seek to recover the cost of slope repair works from the people involved, it added.

The government did not rule out taking further prosecution actions against those involved after seeking legal advice.

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As for the other houses on Redhill Peninsula, the government explained that the two departments will accord priority to inspecting another 85 houses along the seafront in the area on a “risk-based” basis.

Around 70 such houses are preliminarily suspected of having unauthorized building works while around 40 are suspected to be involved in unlawful occupation of government land.