At its first open meeting Tuesday, the board was told by the executive secretary for the Antiquities and Monuments Office, Louis Ng, that the redevelopment would cost the office HK$10 million.

When completed and opened to the public in October next year, it is to be used as a center for information and for understanding the history of the region, he said.

"We would like to involve the community. The Tang clan are a people with ancestors dating back more than 600 years," he said.

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Ng said the office also hopes that Tang clan volunteers will staff the center once it opens.

The Tang clan first suggested redeveloping the police station as early as 1996, Ng said.

The facility, which will be renamed the Ping Shan Tang clan gallery, sits atop a hill and looks down on the Ping Shan Heritage Trail.

Although the total exhibition area is only approximately 180 square meters, Ng said it is in a good location because it connects with other attractions along the trail.

Facilities such as the Tang Ancestral Hall and the Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda are situated along the trail.

The advisory board also discussed projects supported by the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust and The Young Friends of Heritage Scheme.

The trust has funded Hong Kong University scholarships for architectural conservation and other programs that aim to preserve the human heritage of the territory.

The Young Friends of Heritage Scheme is a program that aims to encourage young people to get involved with heritage conservation. Launched last year, the program now has 100 secondary school participants.