The Development Bureau (DEVB) today (September 30) released updated information on private columbaria (the Information). One columbarium has been added to the list, three columbaria have been removed from the list and relevant details of some other columbaria have been updated.

     The Information covers the relevant land/lease (user restrictions) and planning information relating to those private columbaria that are known to the Lands Department (LandsD) or Planning Department, and those which the departments have reason to believe are operating as columbaria. Cases subsequently confirmed will be included when the Information is updated.

     Among the private columbaria included in the Information, 22 are applying to the LandsD for regularisation of land use and/or the Town Planning Board for planning permission. The Information is available on the DEVB’s website at www.devb.gov.hk/en/issues_in_focus/private_columbaria/index.html.

     "Members of the public who wish to purchase niches at private columbaria are reminded of the importance of obtaining from the operators full and complete information in order to check whether the columbaria are compliant with all the relevant statutory requirements and land lease and/or town planning requirements," a spokesman for the DEVB said.

     "To protect their own interests, members of the public are also reminded to ascertain from the operators how they will look after the interests of their customers, such as whether and how they would refund or otherwise compensate their customers in cases in which the respective private columbarium subsequently closes down or is disallowed from operating. Members of the public should seek independent legal advice on their rights when necessary," the spokesman continued.

     The Information will next be updated in December 2016.

     For related enquiries, please call the enquiry hotline at 3142 2255.

Ends/Friday, September 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:59

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