Jockey Club's plan for Sha Tin building ignores neighbours and youth groups

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has ignored the concerns of residents living near Sha Tin racecourse who face the prospect of a nine-storey building on the site of what is at present a car park ('Racecourse neighbours upset over club's plans', January 9).

Youth groups have also objected to the building because of the 'club's related plan to target the youth as a future customer base'. This will have a negative impact on society.

The club's planned building was approved by the Lands Department, even though the current lease for this area of land expires in June and a new lease is still under discussion.

The club did not intend to seek the advice of people living in Fo Tan. Under pressure from residents, its representatives did eventually attend meetings, but it was clear there was no room for compromise.

The government is the landowner and yet imposes loose restrictions on land use at the racecourse. As long as the club can show that a planned project is business-related (a fairly broad definition), it can do whatever it wants. With no planning restrictions or public consultation required, residents can do nothing about projects which might adversely affect their living environment. Clearly the present lease arrangements are flawed.

The Home Affairs Bureau has done nothing, even though there have been demonstrations, a petition with almost 3,000 signatures objecting to the building and two complaints lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman.