AFTER four years of being abandoned, the row of bungalows along Jalan Ara Kanan may be brought back to life.
The owner of the bungalow lots, Eng Lian Enterprise Sdn Bhd, has submitted plans to City Hall to convert the land status that the bungalows are sitting on, from residential to commercial.
According to Rule 5 on the board located at the site of the bungalows, the developer is applying for a change of land use.
Bangsar Baru Residents' Association (BBRA) secretary Prem Kumar Nair said the association was not against any limited development.
"We just want to see the area being developed, it is an eyesore," he said about the row of bungalows that used to be known as One Bangsar.
"The abandoned bungalows pose social, safety and health risks as they attract drug addicts, mosquitoes and other pests," said Prem Kumar.
He said Eng Lian had given its word that the limited development would not consist of restaurant and clubs.
"We have done our part by distributing leaflets to the residents to get their feedback but only a few responded," said Prem Kumar.
"We have two members who are affected by the development and if they wish to oppose the development, we will assist them on an individual basis," he added.
Eng Lian Enterprise's property management head Tan Joon Kai said there were no plans to have food and beverage outlets at the One Bangsar site.
"We are looking at having high-end showrooms and consultancy offices there. There are no plans for restaurants as we understand the plight of the residents here," said Tan.
In 2004, One Bangsar was home to several restaurants including the popular Bangsar Seafood restaurant.
City Hall had then given approval to temporarily convert the status of the land from residential to commercial for five years.
The businesses closed after the temporary approval expired on Dec 31, 2009.
At the time, then mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail gave business operators six months to move out, stating that the area would remain as bungalow lots as outlined in the original master plan.
Unhappy with the decision, the developer of One Bangsar, Markibra Services had in 2010, filed a judicial review to quash the planning permission which was for a temporary approval for the change of land use from residential to commercial status and renewable yearly.
The judicial review also sought the court's 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 lost its bid after the High Court dismissed its application.