Wandsworth approves Battersea Power Station first phase plans

The first phase of the 39-acre masterplan will see the construction of two new buildings on vacant land to the west of the power station to comprise 800 flats; a hotel; cafes and restaurants; a gym; pool; spa; theatre, and office studios. Renovation work on the power station will also begin.

The next phases of the plan will include the building of new affordable homes beside a new London Underground station along with a river bus pier, pedestrian squares and a new town centre.

"This project will restore one of London's most iconic landmarks and create the first segment of a remarkable new town centre on the Thames riverside," said Wandsworth Council's planning chairman, Nick Cuff, in a statement. "The site's vast empty spaces will be gradually brought to life with new homes, a riverside park and a new commercial centre supporting hundreds of jobs."

"Tonight's decision is another important step towards extending the Northern Line to this site and comes just days after the Government announced it will underpin this vital infrastructure project with a £1bn loan guarantee. The Tube link is the key to creating a total of 16,000 new homes and 25,000 new jobs across the entire Nine Elms on the South Bank district," Cuff said.

The Government announced earlier this month in its Autumn Statement that it had agreed a loan of up to £1bn to fund a proposed extension of the London Underground's Northern Line to Nine Elms.

Under the proposals, two new London Underground stops would be created at Battersea Power Station and Wandsworth Road. If approved, construction could start in 2015 and trains could be running in 2020 according to the Council.

“We are absolutely delighted that we have the green light on the detailed planning permission for the first phase of Battersea Power Station," said BPLC chief executive officer, Rob Tincknell.

"In the wake of last week’s announcement by the UK government to support the extension of the Northern Line underground line to Battersea and Nine Elms, we have seen a new rush of interest in the development from potential purchasers. It is incredibly exciting for us that we will be selling residential units off plan next month.”

The Council said that the first phase work on the power station site is expected to start next year.