After a detached house in Discovery Bay was exposed by the Buildings Department for unauthorised construction, the owner has been disobeying the two removal orders issued by the Department, and was convicted in court and fined more than $160,000. The Buildings Department stated that the order involved certain unauthorized structures of a detached house in Discovery Bay, including a rooftop structure with an area of regarding 23 square meters, an external wall structure extending from the bedroom to the planter, and metal structures on the balcony and roof. The fence was removed and replaced with a glass fence.
The BD stated that these UBWs had not obtained the prior approval and consent of the BD, so two removal orders were issued to the owners concerned in accordance with Section 24(1) of the Buildings Ordinance, Chapter 123 of the laws. The Buildings Department has prosecuted the owner for failing to fulfill the removal order in 2018. At that time, the owner was convicted and fined regarding $90,000. As the owner still did not fulfill the removal order, the Buildings Department filed another prosecution, and the owner was convicted once more on the 4th of this month and fined a total of 162,800 yuan.
The department mentioned that under the Buildings Ordinance, any person who fails to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for 1 year, plus a further fine of 2 for each day the offence continues. million.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/local/Discovery Bay detached house owner ignores removal order – court sentenced to over 160,000 yuan/320208
