Concerns Grow over Golf Course’s Land Use

Shenzhen Golf Course

Shenzhen, Guangdong

Fanling Golf Course, Hong Kong

Concerns have been growing over the future use of the land currently occupied by Shenzhen Golf Club in Xiangmihu, Futian District, as the club’s right to use the land expires in 2015, Chinese-language media reported Thursday.

The government said the land’s usage remains undecided.

The club’s golf course which occupies 1.4 sqkm is strategically located near Futian’s CBD and Huanggang Checkpoint.

Chen Zhimin, a political adviser to the city, opined that the land should be utilized as a city park to provide relief to condensed public space in the area. 

Chen’s proposal was welcomed by nearby residents. “We didn’t enjoy any benefits from the golf course even though it is right next door. It would be good news for us if it is rebuilt into a park,” said a citizen surnamed Zhu who lives in a neighboring residential community.

The city’s urban planning, land and resources committee said it is researching the area’s development and that the land will be used in accordance with the overall planning of Xiangmihu area.

SD Group, the owner of the golf course, wants to keep the golf course.  The company once reported to government in 2013, expressing that they would like develop this area as a new Central Activities Zone, focused on developing international conference, business, headquarters economy, finance as well as civic culture block, sport centre and facilities for young and elderly people.


Similar Event:

Fanling Golf Course in Hong Kong which is almost 100 years old was under heat discussion last summer. The reason is that Hong Kong government plans to build a new town at New Territories while some groups recommended the government to reclaim Fanling Golf Course’s 170 hectares of land rather than develop a new town.

Hong Kong Secretary for Development Paul Chan said that it is not that easy to develop the golf course into a new town. It needs comprehensive research, planning and public consultation on the land, the number of public housing and settlement, school and the layout of community infrastructure, green land and park, etc. It will take one to two years to do the environment assessment and go through the legal proceedings. Transportation and sewage also needs time to develop.


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