EigenAnalysis

The £5.5 billion plans to redevelop the historic Battersea Power Station have met with qualified approval from London Mayor Boris Johnson. Although, the mayor has supported the restoration of the iconic site he advised the developers to add more to their scheme so that the plan could become a master plan that would also help the councils of Lambeth and Wandsworth.

Although, a letter from Johnson’s office praised the architectural planning at the site calling it a fair balance between the historic riverside setting and the proposed modern layout, the details about parking and transport were said to be missing.

Johnson has asked the developers to shed more light about the new parking and transport facilities they would provide in the area as also the retail opportunities that the new site would offer.

Johnson made it clear that the proposal presented by Rafael Vinoly does not qualify with the London Plan but appreciated the design of the new buildings that would come up in the area near the now unused power station.

He added that the site was a cultural landmark in London and utmost care had to taken to redevelop it.

The new plan seeks to transform the power station into offices and shops around the riverside Wandsworth location. It proposes 150,000 sq m of desk space, 3,700 homes, and 46,500 sq m of retail space. The plan was originally given in for approval in October 2009.