Hong Kong government accused of lying to public over how many houses could be built on exclusive golf course
Officials submit report envisaging low-density housing on site of exclusive club, but opponents say that gives a misleadingly low estimate
The administration has conspicuously deviated from usual practice by not offering a clear stance on the proposal in its latest submission, as the Hong Kong Golf Club – which runs the course in question – stepped up its lobbying effort to scupper the plan.
In its latest paper submitted to the Task Force on Land Supply ahead of its meeting on Tuesday, the government has cited a consultancy report which floats two options for developing the course: to fully develop all 170 hectares and build 13,000 flats; and partially developing the site to build 5,000 to 6,000 flats.
But a source on the task force said the consultants had assumed half of the land under the partially developed plan would be reserved for low-density housing, meaning the real potential for building homes could be higher than the report stated.
Roy Tam Hoi-pong, chief executive of environmental group Green Sense and a long-time proponent of developing the golf course, said it was unreasonable to make an estimate based on a low-density housing plan.
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“What Hong Kong seriously needs is the supply of affordable flats for young couples who have a monthly family income of around HK$30,000, not low-density houses,” he said.