Battersea unveils plans for final 16 acres

A revised masterplan has been submitted for the final 16 acres of the Battersea Power Station development, proposing up to 3.2 million sq ft of residential, commercial, leisure and cultural space.

The planning application updates the original masterplan for the 42-acre riverside site, designed by Rafael Viñoly more than 15 years ago, and sets out the framework for completing the remaining undeveloped land.

Studio Egret West has drawn up the revised proposals, which would nearly double the amount of development already delivered at Battersea Power Station.

The changes are intended to reflect shifts in how people live, work and use city centres, as well as feedback gathered through public consultation and stakeholder engagement during the summer.

A key change from the original masterplan is the proposed division of the remaining development phases into clusters of smaller buildings.

The approach is designed to create a more open development with a finer network of streets, laneways, courtyards and passages connecting the new buildings with the surrounding neighbourhood.

New sightlines would also maintain views towards the restored Battersea Power Station, which would remain the dominant architectural landmark within the development.

The future phases would continue the mixed-use approach adopted across the wider site, combining new homes with commercial accommodation of varying sizes alongside leisure and cultural uses.

James Saunders, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: “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.”

Public realm and landscaping will also form a significant part of the remaining development.

Plans include a proposed “green handshake” across Nine Elms Lane, providing a direct connection with Nine Elms Park. The landscaping strategy would use a range of species selected with biodiversity and changing climatic conditions in mind.

Another element of the proposals is a new venue known as the “Third Generator”, taking its name from the Power Station's history as a major electricity generator for London.

The proposed venue is intended to accommodate a mix of arts, music, fashion, food, education, sport and other creative uses.

One part of the remaining development is already further advanced. Phase 5A has detailed planning permission and will provide 200 new council homes in partnership with Wandsworth Council.

The other phases covered by the revised masterplan would be developed in greater detail through subsequent Reserved Matters applications.

The application comes as construction begins on Prospect Place South, where two new buildings designed by Gehry Partners are being delivered.

More than 2,200 homes have already been completed across Battersea Power Station, alongside around 800,000 sq ft of office space and more than 170 shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues.

Completion of the remaining phases would represent the final major stage of the regeneration of the former power station site, extending the development further into the wider Nine Elms neighbourhood and completing one of central London's largest brownfield regeneration projects.