Hong Kong leader says golf course ruling will not hit plans for public housing

HONG KONG - A Hong Kong court's call for renewed public consultation on a plan to build 12,000 public homes on part of a prestigious golf course would not have a large impact on the city's 10-year supply goal, its leader, John Lee, said on Tuesday.

Last year the 100-year-old Hong Kong Golf Club sought judicial review to challenge an environmental impact assessment that gave authorities the basis to pursue redevelopment plans.

The High Court overturned conditional approval from environmental authorities for use of 9.5 hectares (24 acres) of the 172-hectare (425-acre) golf course for public housing, saying on Monday the public should be consulted again.

On Tuesday, Lee said the government would decide its next steps on the basis of factors such as whether to appeal the decision, the impact on housing density and the project schedule, as well as its impact on the supply of public housing.

"The government will have to ... do detailed analysis before deciding on the next step," Lee told reporters on Tuesday, adding that its initial assessment ruled out a large impact on the 10-year supply target for public housing after the news.

The government had identified more than enough land to build 308,000 public homes in the next 10 years, he added.

In a statement, the Hong Kong Golf Club said it welcomed the judgment, adding that the Fanling site is a world-class golf venue of significant ecological and cultural value.

The club had previously cited the international image of the Asian financial hub and environmental conservation as reasons to preserve the golf course, which hosts annual tournaments.

(Reporting by Clare Jim; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)