The Hong Kong government's Town Planning Board has defended its decision to temporarily rezone part of the Fanling Golf Course from “residential” use to "undetermined" to facilitate a controversial public housing plan. This rezoning provides a buffer period for a review of the land's layout and development parameters. The golf club had launched a legal challenge to the government's approval of an environmental report for the housing plan, citing a lack of public consultation and ecological concerns. The court suspended the report, emphasizing environmental and cultural heritage risks. The long-term use of the site will be confirmed after reviews and legal proceedings.
The Hong Kong government's Town Planning Board is maintaining its decision to temporarily rezone a portion of the Fanling Golf Course, shifting it from “residential” use to an "undetermined" status. This change paves the way for a controversial public housing project that faces a legal challenge set for May. The "undetermined" status allows the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) flexibility in conducting a review in anticipation of possible outcomes from the pending judicial review while maintaining appropriate planning control on the site during the interim period.
This rezoning of a 9.5-hectare site within the golf course was intended as a transitional arrangement for constructing 12,000 public housing units. The board's objective is to provide a buffer period for relevant departments to review the site's layout and development parameters.
The full 32 hectares was on lease to the club. Last month, the entire 32 hectares of land, including the 9.5-hectare area in question, were returned to the government after the lease with the Hong Kong Golf Club expired. Of this, 7 hectares has been opened as a public park. The remaining land has been allocated for conservation purposes.
The Hong Kong Golf Club initiated legal proceedings in July, challenging the government's approval of an environmental report related to the housing plan. Their argument revolved around the lack of public consultation and the failure to address ecological concerns. Supporters of the golf club expressed criticism of the public housing development plan, emphasizing the world-class status of the golf course, which they believe should be preserved. In response to environmental and cultural heritage concerns, the court suspended the approved environmental report pending the outcome of the judicial review scheduled for May.
The Town Planning Board emphasized that the decision was made after considering 1,903 statements and oral submissions from around 60 attendees during a three-day hearing. Views of the Planning Department and other government departments were also taken into account.
The Town Planning Board reported that over 98% of the submissions received earlier this month were against the public housing plan. They further clarified that the long-term use of the 9.5-hectare site would only be confirmed after the CEDD completes its review and the judicial review proceedings conclude. Any activities or developments within the "undetermined" zone will necessitate planning permission, with exceptions granted for government-coordinated public works or compatible recreational uses.
The outcome remains uncertain, with the golf course's future hinged on government reviews and the court's decision in May. Public opinion remains divided, underscoring the importance of addressing environmental and cultural heritage concerns in such significant developments.
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