Bangsar residents concerned over proposed redevelopment of Sri Pahang flats

KUALA LUMPUR (June 26): The redevelopment plans for the Sri Pahang flats in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur have raised concerns among residents in Bangsar especially over the increase in density and the possible impact on traffic flow in the area.

In early March this year, a signboard was put up at the Sri Pahang flats in Jalan Bukit Bangsar describing the proposed redevelopment plan for the 3.97ha site owned by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Transport Ministry.

The proposed redevelopment comprises eight blocks of apartments with a total of 3,257 units — Block A (843 units), Block B (410 units), Block C (292 units), Block D (406 units), Block E (406 units), Block F (232 units), Block G (232 units) and Block H (336 units).

Currently, the Sri Pahang flats consists of nine blocks with 1,017 units. There are six 5-storey blocks and three 17-storey blocks. Built-ups range from 380 sq ft to 550 sq ft per unit. The redevelopment will increase the site density from 20 persons per acre to 1,327 persons per acre.

The proposed redevelopment plan was published in four newspapers — Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times, Sin Chew Daily and Makkai Osai from March 13 to 15. The final date to file any protest against the development was on March 28.

“If you go to the Sri Pahang flats, you will notice that there is only one exit and entry point to the development. Even if they were to open another road leading to Jalan Bangsar Utama, that area is already massively congested. We are not against development, but there needs to be a holistic impact study in terms of how it will affect the traffic as well as the surrounding neighbourhood. If they have something in mind and planned out, they should be transparent and tell us,” Bukit Bandar Raya Residents Association (RA) advisor and immediate past president Datuk M. Ali told TheEdgeProperty.com.

Ali noted that there would be a need for proper planning of the drainage system as well, considering the huge increase in population in the area and the fact that the area had experienced flooding during heavy downpours.

“I think a few years back, sometime in 2013, there was a massive downpour that caused a landslip at SMK Bangsar, which is located near the end of the road leading to the Sri Pahang flats. When the construction [for this redevelopment] starts, we are concerned about earth movements and soil erosion taking place. When a landslip happens, don’t come and say this is an act of God,” said Ali.

Meanwhile, the president of Bangsar Park’s RA, Nitesh Malani, told TheEdgeProperty.com that some 60 residents living in the area have written in to DBKL to voice their concerns on the redevelopment and DBKL has responded that they will look into the matter.

“It is not that I am against development, please don’t get me wrong. We are just saying that there needs to be proper planning and direct clarification on how they are going to manage this redevelopment. This redevelopment will change the landscape of Bangsar. As you know, Bangsar Park is located at the lower side of the valley and when there is a heavy downpour, it always causes massive flood problems and this will directly impact us,” said Nitesh, adding that just two minutes down the road, there is another massive redevelopment of the Kompleks Niaga Utama in Bangsar into a proposed serviced apartment project. The land is located just behind Dataran Maybank and UOA Bangsar.

Nitesh also noted that there needs to be an allocation of proper parking space to avoid road congestion with the incoming increase in density of people living in the area.

“How is the traffic flow going to be managed? When the construction starts, you will have all the dust coming in from the construction site. These are the issues that need to be addressed,” said Nitesh.

Meanwhile, Ali said the Bukit Bandaraya RA has yet to write in to DBKL regarding the Sri Pahang redevelopment, but they have been writing in on the development of Bangsar.

 “We’ve been writing in [to DBKL] on a lot of things concerning the development of Bangsar. Previously, we had strongly opposed the highway ramp from Mid Valley to Jalan Maarof because it is a residential road. Today, that ramp is a super highway and has caused massive congestion during peak hours,” said Ali.

“Each redevelopment site must be looked at in totality, not in silos. All impact must be looked at on a long-term basis,” he added.

According to previous news reports, the Sri Pahang flats site will be developed on a joint-venture basis with Pro Green Generation Sdn Bhd. A quick check found that Pro Green Generation is a subsidiary of Suez Capital Sdn Bhd, a member of Suez Domain Sdn Bhd.

When contacted by TheEdgeProperty.com, someone from the developer’s office said “we have no information to provide on the project so far”. DBKL has yet to respond to an email enquiry for an update on the proposed development.

TheEdgeProperty.com visited the site recently and saw that demolition works have started on some of the blocks where residents have moved out. It is learnt that the residents are being moved out in phases.

According to a resident who is still staying in one of the remaining blocks of flats, the others who have moved out have been relocated to Bukit Jalil.