Fanling Golf Course was one of the most controversial options in the "Land Debate" a few years ago.
After five months of public consultation, the government decided to partially reclaim the 32-hectare site for the golf course.
In the latest plan, the government intends to use 9.5 hectares for public housing and government, institutional or community development, while over 60% of the remaining land is zoned for conservation areas.
According to the latest environmental impact assessment report submitted by the consulting company, protected or endangered species such as agarwood and water pine were found in some areas, so the development project will avoid areas with high ecological value, of which more than 60% of the area is zoned for Recreation and conservation areas.
However, there is no timetable for the relevant scope, and it is only said that it is "subject to further review".
Some groups said that if the delay is too long, they are worried that there may be a "number of trips" in the future. In the early years of the development of Queen's Hill, they also found agarwood, questioning the government's "double standards".
Of the 32 hectares of golf course land to be recovered in the future, the report divides the site into 4 areas for study and recommends housing development only in Zone 1.
(EIA Report)
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Only proposed to develop housing in the extreme north
The study divided the site into 4 areas.
The EIA report shows that there are records of important mammals in divisions 2 and 3, such as leopard cat and little Indian civet, the latter being closer to the woodland at the northern end of Anpu; while division 4 also has the protected species of agarwood, the endangered species of water pine (Glyptostrobus pensilis ), and there are swamps and swampy woodlands.
Therefore, the ecological value of zones 2 to 4 is rated as medium, or medium to high.
In addition, the report mentions that housing development potential in zones 2 to 4 is expected to be limited given the existing transport infrastructure, transport connectivity, rural setting and slender terrain.
Conversely, Sub-district 1, which is at the northernmost end of the district, reported relatively low ecological value and recommended housing development only there.
However, Division 1 also has forest land and mixed forest land. The report recommends implementing mitigation measures, such as compensation for planting about 5.1 hectares of forest land, to reduce the impact of habitat loss.
Further reading: The 32 hectares of Fanling Golf Course will be returned next year, and one-third of the land will be built to provide 12,000 public units
There is no timetable for recreational and conservation areas
The report outlines the tentative implementation plan, which reveals that it will be developed in five phases.
According to the data, public housing, schools, related roads, and infrastructure works are expected to be completed by 2029 at the latest.
However, there is no clear timetable for the recreation and conservation areas located in Zones 2 to 4, only that it is "subject to further review".
Referring to the documents of the District Council, the above-mentioned conservation groups will occupy more than 60% of the area, or about 21.65 hectares.
There is no clear timetable for the most extensive recreation and conservation area.
(EIA Report)
Pesticides and herbicides pollute the land
The report also pointed out that most of the areas with development potential have been used as golf courses, and a small part has been used as car parks, tennis courts, staff quarters and private residential areas.
The potential sources of land pollution on the site are mainly from the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides on golf courses, and the potential land pollution should be concentrated in the lawn area.
However, through restoration works, the health risks to future residents can be reduced.
It can be seen from the sky that there are many ancestral tombs and "golden towers" in the Fanling Golf Course.
In the proposed development, a clan grave will need to be relocated.
(File photo/Photo by Li Zetong)
A clan grave needs to be relocated and the golf club building landscape is affected
The report also pointed out that the proposed development scheme will indirectly affect three graded historic buildings, including the Grade 1 Chief Executive Fanling Villa, the Grade 2 Hong Kong Golf Club, and the Grade 3 Hong Kong Golf Club Refreshment Kiosk. and six clan graves.
The report mentioned that a clan tomb will need to be relocated, while two historic buildings may need to provide green screens.
On the landscape, the report expects the golf club building and car park to be the most affected.
However, impacts can be reduced by reducing construction and temporary works areas, complemented by construction controls, architectural design, etc.
To further enhance the visual quality, landscaping treatment and additional planting will be carried out in Zones 2 to 3. It is expected that the proposed project will be in operation for the 10th year, and the residual visual impact will be reduced.
Huang Zhaohong, a member of the local research society, said that 60% of the conservation land was reserved for development at the final stage.
(File photo/Photo by Ou Jiale)
Local Research Society: There is a possibility of serious walks
Huang Zhaohong, a member of the local research society, said that the recovered land amounted to 32 hectares, but now the land for housing development has been reduced to about 9 hectares, making the houses denser.
Huang Zhaohong also pointed out that there is no timetable for the recreational conservation area, which accounts for more than 60% of the area, and he is worried that if the conservation area is reserved after 2029, it will be forgotten by the public, and there is even a possibility of "walking". "The land debate is very stubborn. In the end, only 9 hectares will be taken out. There is a possibility of serious departure."
He also criticized the government's "double standards". On the one hand, he pointed out that some golf courses have high ecological value and need to be conserved. Aloe vera was also found in the public housing site of Queen's Hill in Fanling, but only transplanting was recommended at that time.
He added that the golf course damages the environment and requires the use of insecticide water for maintenance, which has been described as "Toxic Green" in foreign countries.
Huang believes that the land does not have to be used for building houses, and that 60% of the land can also be used as open space such as parks, so that the land can be opened for public use. Under the system of several land contracts, land use is not fair.
The 32 hectares of the Fanling Golf Course will be returned next year. It is planned to provide 12,000 public housing units. The land for the Fanling Golf Course will increase to more than 10,000 units. Details of Lantau Tomorrow will be unveiled at the end of next year. The hectare group approves to obliterate the public demands and urges the full recovery of the Fanling Golf Course. The government: 32 hectares will be "returned to the government" after three years to build a public housing. low price