|
Battersea Power Station redevelopment given the nod by Wandsworth Council
Wandsworth Council has given planning approval for one of Europe’s largest brick built buildings – Battersea Power Station in London. Owned by Real Estate Opportunities (REO), the power station has stood derelict since its closure in 1983 and despite numerous attempts, none have succeeded in utilising its potential.
Designs by Rafael Vinoly have been radically adapted and finally capped at 60m, (the architect’s previous design soared to 300m and was shut down by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who felt it disturbed the existing views from Waterloo Bridge). The latest designs include over 22 acres of open space, 6 acres of which will be contained within a riverside public park, serviced by a new river-bus facility.
It is also thought that the redevelopment will provide 15,000 jobs in the leisure, retail, hospitality, service and creative sectors, and 3,400 permanent homes in buildings ranging between 8 and 18 storeys in height.
REO are aiming to transform the former power station into the largest zero carbon building in the UK – and potentially the entire world – with zero carbon office space and a Combined Cooling Heat and Power plant run on bio fuels, venting water vapour through the original chimneys.
The Grade II listed building will now be referred to Boris Johnson and the Secretary of State for Communities and the Local Government. Rob Tincknell, Managing Director of Treasury Holdings (the parent firm of REO) commented: “This decision is a fantastic milestone toward our goal of creating a new exciting place for London and saving one of the City’s great landmarks
"We are grateful for the support we have received thus far, and look forward to working with all the stakeholders to establish a long term economic, social and environmentally sustainable heart to Nine Elms.” The £5.5bn project is due for completion in 2026.
|
