“The planning intention of this site is to provide space for high-density residential development, and concentrate public-sector housing at the northernmost part of the area in order to fit in the urban planning of the adjacent Fanling-Sheung Shui new town,” the paper said.

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The site, located east of Fan Kam Road, also known as the Old Course, will be slated for redevelopment. The paper said housing should be confined to the northernmost part of the site, which measures about eight hectares.

About 12,000 flats, including public rental ones and subsidised homes for sale, will be built in 10 blocks, accommodating about 33,600 people. Set to be completed in 2029, the project will also provide welfare and recreational facilities for occupants, as well as a special school and shops.

The newly proposed number of flats that could be built on the site is double the amount suggested by an earlier government study in 2018, which said the area was good for more than 5,000 homes.

The study also said the remaining redeveloped area of the Old Course would be of medium to high ecological value, with fauna and flora species including the East Asian porcupine and Pallas’s squirrels. It suggested using the rest of the land for nature conservation and public recreation.

Road widening works would also need to be carried out at a roundabout nearby, and a new lane added to two sections of Fan Kam Road to cope with the new traffic, it added.

The land supply task force recommended authorities take back the golf site in 2018, citing the move had majority public support as many felt the occupied land only benefited the gold club’s 2,600 members, many of who are among the city’s political and business elite.

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The Old Course will be returned to the government next year, while the golf club will be allowed to continue to lease the much larger New Course across the road at a nominal rent until June 2027 while also offering some public access to its facilities.

After the leasing period expires, the club will be required to pay a higher rent to stay at the site.

The Hong Kong Golf Club, which runs the Fanling course, told the Post on Friday that it was studying the environmental impact assessment report.

The Hong Kong Golf Association reiterated its long-held stance that it was against any proposal and move to reduce resources for the sport.

It also warned that such a move would seriously hinder the sport’s development, as the Fanling site hosted many international and local tournaments.

Lawmaker Edward Lau Kwok-fan, who represents New Territories North, said he was worried the population intake of more than 33,000 new residents resulting from the project would put pressure on local roads.

“It is located in the middle of the North district traffic congestion bottleneck. I am worried that the district’s traffic will be overwhelmed,” Lau said, adding the area had several other ongoing construction projects, including the expansion of a public hospital and the development of other housing estates.

To prevent the increased pressure on traffic, the legislator urged authorities to increase the capacity of the Kai Leng roundabout nearby and broaden Fan Kam Road connecting the northern district and Yuen Long, or adding a bypass.

Francis Lam Ka-fai, vice-president of the Institute of Surveyors, said he welcomed the increase of public housing flats provided in the plan. He added the proposed figure of 12,000 homes was appropriate in relation to the size of the land.

The total built-up area of the project divided by the overall site area is 6.5, which allows for a medium-to-high building density.

The institute vice-president also said the course was an ideal site for residential buildings due to its proximity to the local MTR station and hospital.