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1. Planning blow to Sham Chung golf course

1. Planning blow to Sham Chung golf course
MAY CHAN , SCMP 4 February 2006

Commercial development appears to have been ruled out in an expanse of woodland and wetland near Sai Kung Country Park where a property giant wants to build a golf course.

A draft plan for the 32.4 hectares at Sham Chung sets aside half the area as a conservation zone and almost six hectares as a green belt and coastal protection area.

A quarter is designated agricultural, while 2.6 hectares is set aside for village development to cover the recognised Sham Chung Village and land suitable for expansion.

Releasing the draft yesterday, a Town Planning Board spokeswoman would not say specifically it had finally ruled out the golf course or residential development.

But Cheng Luk-ki, division head of scientific research and conservation for Green Power, said the "bottom line" was that no land was allocated for pro-development use such as residential and recreation developments.

Controversy has surrounded plans by Sun Hung Kai Properties for a golf course and recreation centre in Sham Chung, which has been listed as one of the top 10 green spots in Hong Kong.

The area features extensive wetlands and floodplains, abandoned paddy fields, mangroves and feng shui woodland.

It has 27 bird species, 19 freshwater fish species and 28 butterfly species. Rare species include brown fish owls and paradise fish.

In the 16.1 hectare conservation area, existing natural features are to be protected for conservation, educational and research purposes.

An 8.3 hectare block of low-lying flat land in the middle of the area is zoned agricultural.

A green belt of 2.7 hectares will provide "passive recreational outlets" - camps and centres for education, visitors or field work will be permitted. The remaining 2.6 hectares is zoned "coastal protection area" to preserve the coastal environment and mangroves.

Mr Cheng said the locations of the different zones, especially the conservation area, had yet to be studied. "The key to conservation lies in the protection of wetland areas and the streams where rare plants, fish and animals have been found," Mr Cheng said.

"The government should assess the level of deterioration brought about by the construction of the public facilities on the site."

Ken Ching See-ho, a researcher from the Eco-Education and Resources Centre, said the group would keep a close eye on the development of Sham Chung.

"Sham Chung is among the few places in Hong Kong which provide a rich habitat to rare species," he said. "We must ensure that no residential or recreational developments will take place on the site."

A Sun Hung Kai spokeswoman said the company was studying possibilities for developing the site but no details were available.

Representations can be made to the board before April 3. The draft plan is available at www.info.gov.hk/tpb.

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