The Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) today approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the Technical Study on Partial Development of Fanling Golf Course Site - Feasibility Study with conditions.

The Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD) submitted the application earlier under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).

The approval conditions include reviewing and revising the detailed layout plan for housing development to preserve about 0.4 hectares of woodland in a sub-area as far as practicable.

The applicant also has to submit the detailed landscape and visual plan to minimise the impact on tree preservation, landscape and visual aspects arising from the proposed housing development.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that approval was made after careful examination of the EIA report, EIA Study Brief and requirements of the EIAO Technical Memorandum, and full consideration of the relevant comments on the environment from the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) as well as members of the public, and the submission of additional information by the CEDD.

The DEP, in consultation with the relevant authorities under the technical memorandum, considered that the EIA report met the requirements of the study brief and the memorandum.

In response to the ACE's views on preservation of about 0.4 hectares of woodland within a sub-area and impact on tree preservation, landscape and visual aspects arising from the proposed housing development, the DEP decided to approve the EIA report with conditions.

The EPD stressed that the statutory EIA process is aimed at assessing the environmental impact of the project and recommending appropriate mitigation measures.

The project proponent has to consider other relevant factors and comply with relevant legislation and procedural requirements before the project can proceed.

Separately, the Development Bureau today said the Government gazetted the draft Fanling/Sheung Shui Extension Area Outline Zoning Plan last year proposing the development of public housing with 12,000 units at the northernmost portion of the 32 hectares of land east of Fan Kam Road in Fanling Golf Course.

Following the approval of the EIA report, the Town Planning Board will arrange public hearings for the representations and opinions submitted by the public on the draft plan.

The Planning Department will recommend to the board to extend the deadline for submission of the draft plan to the Executive Council by six months to November 30 this year in order to have sufficient time to complete the hearing and deliberation process.

The bureau noted that the DEP's approval comes with certain conditions, including that the Civil Engineering & Development Department, as the project proponent, should minimise the impact on tree preservation, landscape and visual aspects arising from the housing development.

It said that although the layout and development parameters of the public housing are subject to review, it remains the intention of the Government to develop public housing at the northernmost portion of the area.

Irrespective of the progress of the town planning process, the short term tenancy covering the 32 hectares of land will expire on August 31 this year and the Government will take back the land on the next day as planned.

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