Will One Bangsar finally be redeveloped?

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 21): The defunct One Bangsar in Jalan Ara, Kuala Lumpur, could be revived as a low-density commercial development.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz said a developer had submitted a proposal for the land.

"The proposal is for a low-density commercial development in which the existing buildings are maintained. City Hall's One-Stop-Centre is considering the proposal," he said.

The bungalow units which housed the restaurants that make up One Bangsar in the affluent neighbourhood have been unoccupied since 2011.

The Malaysian Insider found the area cordoned off with barbed wire and signboards warning against trespassing.

Bangsar Baru Residents' Association (RA) secretary Prem Kumar Nair said Eng Lian Enterprise Sdn Bhd had proposed to develop the area last year.

"The developer sent a letter last year to the RA stating its intentions to develop the land. We duly informed the residents, especially those living at the back of One Bangsar in Lorong Terasek Kanan.

"Few residents responded (to the letter) and only two RA members will be affected should the development come to pass. We will assist these residents if the need arises," he said.

Prem said the RA were not against reasonable development at the site.

"The bungalows are an eyesore and pose social, safety and health risks as they may attract drug addicts, mosquitoes and other pests. We hope that something will be done," he said.

One Bangsar was established in 2004 with the opening of several restaurants, including the popular Bangsar Seafood restaurant.

City Hall had allowed the land status to be converted from residential to commercial for five years, and the restaurants were to move out upon the expiry of the temporary approval on December 31, 2009. At the time, then mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail gave the business operators six months to move out, after which the bungalow lots were to revert to their original status as outlined in the master plan.

Unhappy with the decision, the developer of One Bangsar, Markibra Services, filed a judicial review in 2010 to quash the planning permission, which was for a temporary approval for the change of land use from residential to commercial, and which was renewable yearly. The judicial review also sought a court order compelling Fuad to grant a renewal of the planning permission for 10 years or any period deemed fair and reasonable by the court.

Markibra Services' application was dismissed by the High Court.

Eng Lian Enterprise Sdn Bhd declined to comment on its plans for One Bangsar.