Letters | Scrapping plans to build on Fanling golf course would show the government is looking long-term
- Readers discuss the cultural and ecological importance of Fanling golf course, and why building on the site would neither solve the housing crisis nor serve the city’s business interests
Every major town-planning decision has great significance for Hong Kong’s future. When making them, a responsible government should follow sound principles in balancing the four basic needs of a community: economics, environment, transport and housing, and it should not allow any one need to overwhelm the others.
It should neither favour nor penalise one faction of society over another. Its duty is to look after every section of the community, rich or poor.
Social institutions like the Fanling golf club have evolved over time and cater to a certain social need. They should not be dismantled at the whim of certain factions of the community.
The decision whether to develop housing on the golf course should not be made based on convenience or appeasement of some public voices but on careful consideration of both the long-term interests of Hong Kong as an international cosmopolis and the overall impact on the community.