Hong Kong Golf Club could become public housing site

Conversion proponents say welfare of the people comes first.

The historic 170 hectare Hong Kong Golf Club is being eyed as a housing site by lawmakers who say the need for housing of the many outweigh the recreational needs of the few.

Pundits predict a clash between the Hong Kong Golf Club’s elite membership and large sections of Hong Kong’s population, many of whom are forced to live in cramped conditions.

Lawmaker Fernando Cheung, a leader of the campaign to build on the golf club site located in the city’s New Territories North, said housing certainly has a much higher priority than playing golf.

“Why would we sacrifice the welfare of the people . . . (for) the recreational needs of a chosen few?” he asked.

Cheung was one of 12 members of the Legislative Council who recently passed a motion prodding the government to allocate the land close to the border with China for two new town residential developments.

The government said the land would be included in a study to explore further development potential in New Territories North, which is expected to commence in early 2014.

Supporters say hosting the professional tournament is important to Hong Kong’s reputation as an international commerce hub and that building on the land could damage its business-friendly reputation.