Residents' action group the Friends of Hoi Ha says it sympathises with the WWF over its decision to delay the opening of the marine life centre - but hopes the time will be used to do some 'proper planning'.
In a statement, the group said: 'The WWF now has the time to carry out a full, independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the activities planned for the Hoi Ha centre. Too much money has been wasted already because of inadequate planning, and in order for something worthwhile to be salvaged from this ill-conceived project, a thorough review of its purpose and impact on the local environment and community should be carried out.'
The group, which staged an anti-WWF protest last year when weekend visitor numbers and traffic surged, said it was strongly opposed to a separate quota of coaches being given for visitors to the centre.
'The WWF should have thought about the transport situation when they planned their centre. If they cannot obtain passes for their buses from within the existing quota they should consider taking their parties to Wong Shek pier or transporting them by boat from Ma Liu Shui.'
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said granting the WWF its own quota of coach passes would be 'undesirable'.
