Battersea Power Station has submitted a planning application for a revised masterplan covering the remaining 16 acres of its 42-acre riverside site in Central London, with up to 3.2 million sq ft of new residential, commercial, leisure and cultural space proposed.
The development would nearly double the amount of space already delivered across the brownfield site, which currently includes more than 2,200 homes, about 800,000 sq ft of offices and over 170 shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues.
The revised masterplan, designed by Studio Egret West, updates an original plan by architect Rafael Viñoly that was drawn up more than 15 years ago. The new proposals are intended to reflect changes in how people live, work and spend their leisure time, as well as feedback from a public consultation held over the summer.
The future phases will feature smaller clusters of buildings, new streets, laneways, courtyards and passages aimed at creating stronger connections between the development and the surrounding Nine Elms area.
The plans also include a network of green spaces and a proposed connection across Nine Elms Lane to Nine Elms Park. Landscaping would use resilient plant species designed with biodiversity and climate change in mind.
A proposed “Third Generator” would form part of the development, creating a venue bringing together arts, music, fashion, food, education, sport and other creative industries.
Phase 5A has already received detailed planning permission and will provide 200 council homes in partnership with Wandsworth Council. The remaining phases will require further design and Reserved Matters approvals.
James Saunders, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, said the revised plans were shaped by changes in how people interact with cities following developments including Covid-19 and greater digital integration.
“The last decade has seen events like Covid-19 and digital integration into everyday life blur the boundaries between work, living and leisure time, all fundamentally changing how we interact with cities. Responding to this, our refreshed masterplan seeks to place community and connection at the core of Battersea Power Station.”
Construction is already progressing on the next phase, with work beginning earlier this month on Prospect Place South, comprising two Gehry-designed buildings expected to provide about 300 homes, 65,000 sq ft of commercial space and a 15,000 sq ft community hub.
The buildings will form part of the completion of Electric Boulevard and are part of Frank Gehry’s first and only UK residential development.
