The planning permission for a major project on unstable hillslopes in Taman Kelab Ukay, Ampang, Selangor, granted to a developer, expired on October 13 of last year.
While discussing the project, which involved Class Three and Class Four slopes, as well as a 37-storey high-rise building, Dr. Ani Ahmad, the president of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ), stated that planning permission was issued on October 14, 2020, following the approval of the project by the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Development Technical Committee (JTPKSAS) on September 24, 2019.
According to Dr. Ani, the proposed site, owned by Lembah Langat Development Sdn Bhd under the parent company Petaling Tin Bhd, was designated as residential land use under the MPAJ Local Plan (Amendment 2) 2020.
“The planning permission permits were valid for one year from October 14, 2020, and were extended for one year from October 14, 2021, to October 13, 2022,” she told reporters after chairing the MPAJ full board meeting.
Dr. Ani explained that under Section 24(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, the planning permission lapsed because no development had occurred on the site, despite the developer submitting the Notice of Commencement of Earthworks (Form B) to MPAJ on October 7, 2022.
The proposed project in Taman Kelab Ukay, adjacent to Ukay Club Villas, consists of four phases, including 54 three-storey townhouses, a three-storey apartment building with 84 units and double-storey parking space, a 29-storey apartment building with 336 units and eight-storey parking space, and a 37-storey apartment block with 274 units.
When asked if there had been any dialogue sessions between the developer and affected residents before granting planning permission, Dr. Ani answered in the negative.
“However, the developer was instructed to display a notice of the proposed development on the site for 14 days from December 12 to December 23, 2019,” she said.
“During that period, we did not receive any objections from residents.”
Dr. Ani stated that any development in high-risk areas, such as steep slopes, must comply with the rules issued by PlanMalaysia in 2010.
“The developer must submit the proposal to the technical committee, which will assess the suitability of the development based on geotechnical studies, terrain mapping, land work plan, and slope stabilization,” she said.
“Once approved, the developer must prepare a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report, which will be approved by the state-level SIA Report Assessment panel managed by PlanMalaysia Selangor,” she added.
According to Dr. Ani, after obtaining SIA approval, developers are required to submit earthworks, landscaping, roads and drainage plans, as well as planning permission to MPAJ through the One-Stop Centre (OSC).
“Once the planning permission application is approved at the OSC meeting, the developer must comply with all the conditions set at the JTPKSAS level and OSC committee before commencing work,” she explained.
In response to StarMetro, a spokesperson from Lembah Langat Development stated that the project would not begin soon as the company had not yet submitted the building plan.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
