The Antiquities Advisory Board has assessed Queen's Pier, built in 1953-54, as a Grade I historic building. The grading will have no effect on the options of reassembling the pier, including the option of reassembling it at its original location.

Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen said the bureau will seek funding approval from lawmakers to conduct a study to explore the best way to preserve the pier. However, he pointed out preservation in situ is not technically feasible.

Noting the Planning Department has launched a public consultation on the location and design concepts for reassembling the pier, Mr Suen urged people to express their views in a calm, rational manner and not resort to drastic action.

Views considered

The advisory board said today the grading has taken into account the views of non-governmental concern groups and professional bodies expressed at the public hearing session, in addition to the heritage assessment report the Antiquities & Monuments Office submitted.

The grading system for assessing built heritage is the advisory board's internal reference mechanism with no statutory authority. Historic buildings are graded to identify their heritage value.

The assessment criteria cover many aspects, including historical interest, architectural merit, rarity, group value, social value, collective memory and authenticity. A Grade I historic building is defined as having outstanding merit and every effort should be made to preserve it, if possible.

The grading mechanism makes no specific requirement on how the built heritage should be preserved. The preservation option will depend on such factors as the building's structure, condition and features, as well as the technical feasibility.