We refer to the report headlined 'Golf club may lose holes on public land' (South China Morning Post, June 27).
You reported how local residents had discovered 'a 1.5-hectare public land encroachment' by Discovery Bay Golf Club.
We would like to present this issue in the right historical perspective.
When we planned for a golf course in Discovery Bay, an application to use the site in Wong Chuk Lung was made in 1981 that was thoroughly and satisfactorily discussed with the government. It was considered that the land issue could be dealt with by means of a boundary adjustment and the government raised no objection to the plan. We were in communication with the government prior to the commencement of construction work. Since then, we have had discussions with the administration on a number of options in relation to the use of the concerned site. In 1996, we applied to the government for a short-term tenancy lease of it.
In its reply, in 1998, the government indicated the subject area might be included in the Lantau North (Extension) Country Park and could not proceed with the application at that time. Now it is clear that the concerned area does not fall into the boundary of the country park.
Discussions have resumed with officials regarding this matter and we look forward to a satisfactory outcome in the near future.
