New Findings Included In Golf Course Housing Report

The Advisory Council on the Environment held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss new findings relating to a proposal to build public housing on part of the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

Council members discussed eight new findings, including wildlife surveys on bats and moths, as well as hydrological information.

Council chairman John Chai said while members endorsed six of them, they expressed concern about how to deal with trees and a grave located in the golf course.

"In this meeting, we did make at least two recommendations quite different from the project proponent's assertion... we generated some consensus, and the consensus made during the meeting is all unanimous," he said.

Chai said the discussion was useful even though council members don't have the power to approve or object to the environmental impact assessment report.

The project proponent will now deal with the outstanding issues, and the environmental protection director will decide whether to approve the report one month after its submission.

The Hong Kong Golf Club, which is against the housing project, said Wednesday's meeting failed to resolve issues relating to the project.

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