The 32 hectares of the Fanling Golf Course are expected to be returned to the government in September next year. The government plans to build 12,000 public housing on the northernmost quarter of the land, which will cut down nearly 1,000 trees. The Town Planning Board has already given the green light to the plan.
However, after the new government came into play, some local people in the community sought to "reverse the verdict" and overthrow the resumption of land to build public housing.
The Environmental Advisory Committee met today (8th) to review the environmental assessment report of the Fanling Golf Course. Some members argued with officials.
Huang Yuanhui, who was the chairman of the Land Supply Task Force in the previous government's "Land Debate", is the current chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee. He said after the meeting that the current data could not answer the members' questions, but he did not want to rush through or reject the EIA report, so he decided to wait. The EPD will wait for another time to discuss after submitting supplementary information.
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CEDD: No animals and plants of conservation value have been recorded
When introducing the EIA report at the meeting, Chief Engineer of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Chung Wing-kung, mentioned that Zone 1, the northernmost 11 hectares of land to be developed for public housing, has no recorded animals and plants of conservation value, and its ecological value is relatively low. Therefore, the ecological value of the area is assessed as "low to moderate".
Chung continued to point out that even though the latest EIA study submitted by the Fanling Golf Club showed that more animals and plants with conservation value could be found, the ecological value assessed by the authorities had not changed. Development is also a common practice, so it is considered that building housing in "low to moderate" Zone 1 is in line with the previous requirements of the authorities.
Member: The authorities do not have detailed plans for habitat conservation and compensation
Several committee members criticized the authorities for sticking to the rules in the layout of public housing and failing to accommodate trees in the forest land, which caused nearly 1,000 trees to be cut down. They also criticized the authorities for not having detailed habitat conservation and compensation plans.
Another member questioned the authorities' claim that in addition to the relatively low ecological value of District 1, they also used the premise that District 1 has developed car parks, staff dormitories, etc., and the adjacent land has been developed. As an excuse, "step into" the 2nd to 4th major construction projects in districts with high ecological value.
The Environmental Advisory Committee meets to consider the environmental assessment report of the Fanling Golf Course.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Huang Yuanhui: The current data cannot answer the questions of members
Huang Yuanhui, chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee, said after the meeting that the development project of the Fanling Golf Course is complex and involves a lot of areas. The current data cannot answer the members' questions, including that the data does not cover the habitat time of all animal species, but he does not want to rush through or reject the EIA According to the report, "pre-approval is not appropriate." Therefore, we decided to wait for the EPA to submit supplementary information before looking for another time to discuss.
He also pointed out that the committee has to complete the approval of the EIA report before the deadline of August 28, so the next meeting will be held before the deadline. part to make a decision.
Huang Yuanhui, chairman of the Environmental Advisory Committee, pointed out that the development project of the Fanling Golf Course is complex and involves a lot of areas, and the current data cannot answer members' questions.
(File photo/Photo by Kong Fanxu)
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Recently, some people have raised objections to the government's withdrawal of the Fanling Golf Course to build public housing, including the convener of the Executive Council, Ip Lau Suk-yi, who has a membership of the golf club. She expressed her opposition to the proposed development yesterday (7th).
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Fanling Golf Course｜Government revises plan to strengthen conservation and rejects BBQ camping Town Planning Board gives green light The research institute approves double standards, only 9 hectares are reserved for building Fanling Golf Course, 32 hectares are reserved for building, 60% is left for conservation, and there is no timetable for conservation. Groups worry about "walking" the Fanling Golf Course. 32 hectares will be returned next year. public sector