An artists impression of the proposed development in Taman Megah by PPB Property, which will comprise a tower block with 228 residential units and a four-storey retail podium.

PPB Group Berhad plans to build a mixed development project at the site where the Ming Tien food court, a badminton hall and a couple other businesses currently occupy.

It is learnt that the proposed development at Taman Megah will occupy a 1.36ha site comprising residential and retail spaces.

PPB Property Development Sdn Bhd development and planning head Lim Siew Yee said the residential component would comprise a 31-storey block with 228 units and a seven-storey carpark.

“The retail podium will have one block with four storeys comprising grocer, healthcare, and food and beverage components, including a food court and shops,” she said, adding that Ming Tien hawkers would be given the option to run their stalls at the planned food court.

“There will also be a two-level basement carpark below the retail block.

“It will have 440 parking bays – to cater to shoppers, Taman Megah market goers and visitors.”

To give value back to the community, Lim said the retail block would house a multipurpose community hall on the top floor.

“It will have six badminton courts and space for community events.

“PPB Property will manage the community hall and retail space, as well as ensure there is the right mix of tenants.

“The retail components will be tailored to cater to the immediate community and offer convenience that is not available at the moment, such as a premium grocery store,” she said.

There will be two access points for the commercial side – via Jalan SS24/9 and Jalan SS24/8, while the residential unit will be accessible via Jalan SS24/10.

PBB Group’s Property Division chief operating officer Chew Hwei Yeow said Taman Megah residents had been briefed since 2015 through meetings and town hall sessions.

“We have had eight meetings with residents so far, from June 16, 2015, and most recently on Aug 12.

“There was also one with several Petaling Jaya city councillors and the Damansara Utama assemblyman.

Chew said the proposed development in Taman Megah received the planning permission from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on Nov 2, 2016 and building plan on May 15 this year.

“The traffic plans were modified based on their feedback and we redesigned the project to accommodate concerns such as parking space,” he said.

Chew believed that residents understood the value of the development, hence did not strongly object.

“PPB Property spent a lot of money doing a traffic study that went beyond our project boundary.

“But ultimately, the traffic plan and solutions fall under MBPJ,” he said.

He said work was expected to start after Ming Tien’s closure on Oct 31, adding that the project was scheduled to take four years to complete.

“PPB Group has a piece of land in Taman Segar, Cheras which we are offering as a relocation alternative for the Ming Tien food court.

“We will submit plans for the food court to Kuala Lumpur City Hall,” he said, adding that the other alternative was for the hawkers to relocate to the new project in Taman Megah once it was completed.

Chew said PPB Group held the land for 30 years and the project was drawn up after the land was transferred from a PPB Group subsidiary to its property division.

“The master tenant of Ming Tien leased the land from PPB Group and sublet parcels of the land to other businesses, such as the badminton academy, medical hall and souvenir shop,” he said.

Residents and MBPJ

Taman Megah Phase 2 Rukun Tetangga (RT) SS24 spokesman Yong Wee On said residents were made aware of the development project two years ago and were updated by the developer.

“Although we are not keen on the project, especially its traffic impact, we have to accept the fact that it is taking place, as long as the developer complies with the bylaws and gets the necessary approvals,” he said.

“The developer’s representatives have been responsible and responsive, by engaging residents through dialogues and answering queries on time.”

Similarly, SS25A RT vice-chairman Steven Ng is concerned about traffic congestion and its impact in the neighbourhood.

“We have been briefed about the proposed traffic flow by the local council and project’s traffic consultant.

“We were made to understand that the traffic study covered SS24, SS25, SS26 and Taman Bahagia,” said Ng, whose RT covered from Jalan SS25/1 to Jalan SS25/23.

Based on the traffic study, he said it appeared that it would be easy to exit Taman Megah but difficult to enter the neighbourhood.

Petaling Jaya councillor Billy Wong said PPB Group has constantly updated residents on the project and traffic plans.

“As far as the One-Stop Centre committee is concerned, the developer has fulfilled all its obligations, which is why the project was granted planning permission,” said Wong.