Hong Kong golf course at centre of controversial public housing project wins UNESCO conservation award
Hong Kong Free Press
A Hong Kong golf course at the centre of a controversial public housing plan has won a UNESCO conservation award, with the agency citing its biodiversity and “holistic management.”
The Fanling Golf Course was among the winners of an Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced last week. The honours took into account the entries’ technical achievements, sustainability and “understanding of place.”
In a social media post published last Friday, the Hong Kong Golf Club – which operates the Fanling Golf Course – said it was “absolutely delighted” by the news.
“We are thrilled by this award and our utmost thanks to UNESCO for this incredible recognition,” Club Captain Andy Kwok said. “But this really is an award for the whole of Hong Kong and our city’s efforts in preserving important cultural heritage sites.”
UNESCO said the golf course “epitomiz[ed] a commendable undertaking for environmental stewardship,” adding that it had considered its ecological value and biodiversity in its conservation management plan.
“Moreover, this project created a narrative and a range of activities for a wide public, inclusive of golfers and non-golfers alike, and regardless of age and membership standing,” UNESCO added.
‘Forefront of heritage preservation’
The award comes as the government presses on with its plan to turn 9.5 hectares of the Fanling Golf Course into public housing. The area was part of 32 hectares of land that was returned to the government in September after its lease to the club expired.
Supporters of the club have expressed opposition to the project, arguing that the golf course is a world-class facility that should be preserved.
The golf club said in July that it had applied for the UNESCO recognition, a move seen as a bid to rally support for the club amid the government’s plans. In a press release announcing its award entry, the club said the Fanling Golf Course opened in 1911 and is the oldest championship golf course in Asia.
“FGC’s century-old history and high cultural value presents an opportunity for the Club to showcase Hong Kong as a multi-cultural international metropolis which is at the forefront of heritage preservation,” the statement read.
Earlier this year, the golf club launched a legal bid to challenge the government’s approval of an environmental report – which is necessary for the project to proceed – on the impact of the housing plan. It argued that there was a lack of public consultation and a failure to account for ecological concerns.
The court later granted a suspension of the approved report pending a verdict of the judicial review which will be heard in May next year.
Judicial reviews are considered by the Court of First Instance and examine the decision-making processes of administrative bodies. Issues under review must be shown to affect the wider public interest.
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