Key facts
- Hong Kong's government will not appeal a court ruling against its plan to build 12,000 public flats on a golf course.
- The court found the approval of the environmental impact assessment for the project to be unlawful.
- The government's decision allows for a broader review of the housing plans.
The Hong Kong government has decided not to pursue a further appeal against a court ruling that found its approval of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a housing project on the city's oldest golf course to be unlawful. This decision effectively ends the legal battle over plans to build 12,000 public flats on the site.
Chief Executive John Lee, who has been in office for over a year, had previously vowed to prioritize housing and welfare initiatives. The government's decision to drop the appeal suggests a pragmatic approach to a "fatally flawed process," allowing for a more comprehensive review of the controversial housing plans.