Officials say the ordinance review is not a response to the challenges nor an effort to introduce amendments that would allow such developments, even though it was launched only after public outcry over country parkland use.

Miss Sarah Wu Po-chu, principal assistant secretary in the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, would not reveal exactly when the review began, but said it was in its early stages.

''People must think, in light of recent experiences, that we would like to facilitate development and so on. But that's not the real aim of our exercise,'' she said.

''As a matter of course, we review the ordinance from time to time.'' However, this is the first full-scale review of the Country Parks Ordinance since it was enacted in 1976.

Also, the controversial Section 10 is likely to be reviewed, which allows development for recreational use but not structures such as houses.

Friends of the Earth chairwoman Ms Mary Riley said it appeared the Government might change the ordinance so it could approve development projects.

But Miss Wu said the ordinance needed updating overall, although it would be at least a year before the draft bill was ready to go to Legco. The Country Parks Board will also be consulted.

United Democrats legislator the Reverend Fung Chi-wood, who uncovered the landfill plan for Clearwater Bay Country Park, said he had asked the Government to look into the ordinance because there were no provisions to change country park boundaries, except to extend them.