The businessman behind plans to build 160 homes in an ecologically sensitive valley in the New Territories yesterday signalled a possible appeal against the High Court's blocking of the development.
Joseph Fong Tsung-hun, director of the Sha Lo Tung Development Co, described Tuesday's ruling as 'vague and biased' and said the environmental concerns had been overblown. He said his company would decide within a fortnight whether to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Mr Fong said Mr Justice Peter Cheung Chak-yau might have placed too much emphasis on ecological aspects in the judicial review.
'Our legal team has advised us that the ecosystem issues were not relevant in the review, yet the verdict was full of words on the ecosystem,' he said.
Mr Fong claimed the verdict was biased as the company's views had not been fully taken into account. 'What are the grounds for the justice to make these ecosystem claims? How much does he know about that? He solely drew his conclusion on what the Government told him. But he should not take for granted what the Government said.'
Mr Justice Cheung rejected a judicial review brought by the company against conservation orders preventing the development. The company first sought to develop the valley, north of Tai Po, more than 20 years ago.
