Government spokesman responds to court decision

     The High Court handed down today (August 24) the decision on an application for an interim stay of the decision on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the partial development of the Fanling Golf Course. In response to media enquiries, a Government spokesman gave the following response:
      
     The court decided to grant an interim stay of the decision of the Director of Environmental Protection to approve the EIA report, but made it clear that the Civil Engineering and Development Department would not be prevented from conducting the review on housing density and layout to fulfill the approval conditions of the EIA report. We respect the court’s decision.
      
     The Government will resume the 32 hectares of land of the Fanling Golf Course east of Fan Kam Road on September 1 as scheduled. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau has announced the venue management and opening arrangements. The Town Planning Board will proceed with the ongoing statutory town planning procedures.