Save Taman Desa coalition members looking out of window of one of the Armada Villa units overlooking the playground that has been hoarded up.
PLANS to convert a 0.53ha public playground on Jalan 109F, Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur into a whopping 44-storey condominium comprising 333 units has got nearby residents worried about rampant development in the neighbourhood.
The news came a week after another much publicised suit filed by 11 Taman Desa residents against the Kuala Lumpur mayor for granting planning permission for a high-density residential development on a former Tenaga National Berhad reserve land along Jalan Desa Bakti 2.
The playground targeted for development is located next to Armada Villa, a low density upscale development with only 45 units of landed properties spread across a 2.3ha land, completed in March 2013. Armada Villa is a joint venture project between a developer and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
The disputed land, Lot 54838, is located at one end of the development. The playground, which includes a jogging track, was built by the developer as part of their project for the benefit of surrounding residents.
The residents were shocked last month to find the playground had been hoarded up.
Armada Villa resident Shereen Chew said their management committee wrote to DBKL asking for the plans for lot 54838 but had not received a response.
“A land search showed that the lot was designated for library and public park use and that DBKL had transferred its ownership to a private property developer in April. That developer had also proposed a development plan to DBKL.
“We believe there are irregularities surrounding this project. How can a land designated for library and park be sold to a private property developer?
"Besides, the surrounding residents were not notified of the project as required by law for an objection. The proposed development is not in compliance with the last land use zoning and no signboard about project information are up at the site,” she said.
Save Taman Desa coalition member M.Gunasekar said attempts to get details about the project from DBKL had been futile.
“When met, DBKL City Planning Department director Sulaiman Mohamed said that he would get back to me in two days to explain about the project but it's going to be a month soon.
“We managed to get 31 Armada Villa property owners to sign an objection letter for the proposed development and submitted to DBKL on Nov 3. We also lodged reports to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, Department of Town and Country Planning and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to look into the matter,” he said.
Another coalition member, long-time Taman Desa resident Philip Phang said DBKL was not protecting the people’s interest.
“It is morally incorrect for DBKL to sell a land designated for public use. Armada Villa owners bought their properties with the trust that the land use would be maintained.
“DBKL has kept us in the dark. And developers are taking advantage of the people’s ignorance. If we have to beg for information from DBKL, then we should not have them as guardian,” he said.
An Armada Villa owner who only wanted to be known as Wong said she expected be one of the worst affected as the development was right next to her backyard.
“The hoarding is about a feet away from the perimeter wall. I thought my unit was a good buy as my room overlooks the greenery and playground, but if the project goes through, my windows will look straight into the carpark of the condominium which will be nine-storey high.
“I will also have to put up with the noise and dust pollution for few years. There are already two other ongoing development projects in the front and back of Armada Villa. We are feeling vibrations as the projects are in the midst of piling works. I am very worried about the quality of life in this house,” she said.
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