'One Stanley steel work different from approved plans'

Development minister Bernadette Linn said on Wednesday that the Buildings Department has found that steel reinforcement work at a house in a luxury residential development in Stanley did not match the approved plans. The investigation was carried out after the residence at One Stanley was alleged to be built with fewer steel bars than approved. “The Buildings Department has largely completed its investigation, and found that some wire mesh and steel configurations were inconsistent with the approved plans,” Linn said during a Legco meeting. “The discrepancies were never reported to the authorities.” She said the department will consult the Department of Justice on possible prosecution. Linn also said checks would be carried out elsewhere at the luxury development. “The Buildings Department has ordered random inspections for 15 other houses and 12 units at six residential blocks in the same housing estate, requiring the developer to appoint independent, accredited laboratories, and under the supervision of authorities, to carry out relevant tests.” She said enforcement actions will be taken if violations are found. In light of the case at One Stanley, the secretary for development said contractors will have to take photos or videos of steel reinforcement work prior to concrete pouring at projects, and submit the record to the...