The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) says it has given approval to an environment impact assessment (EIA) on developing parts of Fanling golf course for housing, but there are strings attached.

In a statement, the department said the approval will depend on whether the project proponent, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), will review and revise its detailed layout plan to preserve about 0.4 hectares of woodland in the northernmost part of the site as far as practicable, and whether it can minimise the impact on tree preservation, landscape and visual aspects arising from the proposed housing development.

An EPD spokesman said that the approval was made after full consideration of the relevant comments on the environment from the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) as well as members of the public during the public inspection period.

The spokesman stressed that the statutory EIA process aims at assessing the environmental impacts of the project, and recommending appropriate mitigation measures.

The project proponent had to consider other relevant factors and comply with relevant legislation and procedural requirements before the project could proceed, the spokesman said.

In response, the Hong Kong Golf Club said it deeply regrets the conditional approval, arguing that the report is "full of serious flaws and mistakes" and the mitigation measures won't be able to ensure the integrity of the site's ecosystem.

“The approval... represents a great setback to the city’s efforts to enhance its liveability and combat climate change," it said in a statement.

"Most importantly, it is tantamount to trampling over an important piece of the city’s culture and heritage, as well as the culture and history of the indigenous villagers of the North District."

The club said it will closely monitor the government's next steps about the plan.

The government is planning to build around 12,000 flats on one of the club's golf courses to house 33,000 people by 2029 after it takes back 32 hectares of the golf club when its lease expires later this year.
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Last updated: 2023-05-11 HKT 19:41