More suspected illegal structures unearthed

Illegal structures could be found in a number of luxury houses at Redhill Peninsula in Tai Tam, and they would just be the "tip of the iceberg," according to property agents.

Building officers yesterday inspected a neighbor of house No 72, which is at risk of a collapse following damage from a landslide last week.

Officials confirmed on Sunday, that they would probe if there were unauthorized construction and the unlawful occupation of government land at No 72.

A property agent said the house is "dragging down" neighbors, who are now worried. "Many owners of detached houses would have, more or less, illegal structures in their premises, so they are afraid of being inspected," the agent said.

Illegal structures were allegedly found at house No 70 after an inspection was conducted by building officers. It is said to belong to Cyberport chief investment officer Johnny Chan Kok-chung.

The owner of house No 74 is said to have initially refused to allow inspectors in, prompting the Buildings Department to say it was seeking a court warrant.

But it is now understood the owner has agreed for inspections later this morning. The house is said to be owned by former HSBC Asia-Pacific marketing head, Yuen Wai-ming

The five-story house No 72 is owned by the former head of Blackstone Advisory Partners in Asia, Anthony Steains, who was in Thailand when the landslide occurred.

The Buildings Department said inspectors found a 17-meter by nine-meter basement on the bottom floor of No 72, with part of the retaining wall near the government slope being rebuilt as windows.

"These unauthorized building works pose high risks to the overall building structure and the house has been temporarily fenced-off to ensure safety," it said.

Officials found that No 70 had an unauthorized five-meter by 13m structure on the bottom floor, along with an unauthorized five-meter by six-meter basement.

The overall structure and retaining walls were not affected, the department said, and the owner only had to keep the outdoor pool fenced off. The department plans to inspect another illegally pond, built on a slope opposite No 72.

It said it might carry out enforcement action against involved owners in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance, and jointly investigate whether the illegal constructions are related to the landslide with the help of Geotechnical Engineering Office.

"The department will also deal with any unauthorized building works ... in an orderly manner in accordance with the prevailing enforcement policy and the risk-based principle."

According to a resident's video footage, the swimming pool of No 72 was overhanging, without any soil support, with concrete protruding out. House No 70 also had its foundation exposed and its garden almost disappeared due to the landslide.

Speaking on radio, former Geotechnical Engineering Office chief Raymond Chan Kin-sek said at least four seepages were found in No 72, including an exposed water pipe which was leaking water, causing the slope to turn moist and increased the chance of a landslide.

Separately, officials inspected another house in Hilltop Villa in Clear Water Bay, where seven residents with two pet dogs had been evacuated on Friday night.

Police said the area of landslide was 50m by 100m and the house was in immediate danger. Nearly half of its garden was suspected to have been washed away.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com