Home / Media

Battersea Power Station design evolves

The latest details of the design for preserving the iconic Battersea Power Station and creating a unique carbon neutral development were announced today. Treasury Holdings UK has responded to the results of the largest public consultation ever conducted in the UK on a development project. The scheme has evolved since the masterplan was launched in June 2008 and the formal planning application is still due to be submitted in Spring 2009.

Rob Tincknell, Managing Director of Treasury Holdings UK, development manager for the owners Real Estate Opportunities Limited ("REO"), a London listed property company, said:

"We are creating a new heart for the Nine Elms area which is the single largest development site in central London and our scheme has evolved after listening and responding to the views of our key stakeholders and more than 15,000 visitors to our public exhibition. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents were supportive of our masterplan which is almost unprecedented in a public consultation exercise. We have heard what people like and what some did not like. We have maintained the overall concept but adjusted the mix and location of buildings to respond to urban design issues and to reflect the views of the public and our stakeholders."

Included in the latest scheme is the world’s first carbon neutral performing arts amphitheatre for 2,000 people beneath the landmark Eco-Dome, which creates a naturally ventilated environment for the 1.3 million square feet of international quality office space. It is anticipated that a resident orchestra or theatre company will be attracted to this unique covered outdoor venue.

There was overwhelming support from the public for the concept of delivering a carbon neutral development on the site. This will be delivered by the Eco-Dome under a transparent glass Chimney which draws air up through a campus of high quality naturally ventilated office buildings, and by a CCHP Energy Centre beneath the Power Station.

The frontage of the development on Battersea Park Road has been re-designed to make it more accessible and tie it into the local neighbourhood. The Eco-Dome has been relocated on the site nearer to the Thames and reduced in size and massing.

The height of the Chimney has been reduced to 250m in response to the technical requirements of a smaller Eco-Dome, to improve its appearance and to address concerns about its impact on views over the Houses of Parliament. The new Chimney

is located in the shadow of the Victoria Tower from the majority of the view locations, and will read as a secondary form in the remaining views. The new design will ensure that the Chimney will be a stunning addition to London’s skyline and will be a symbol of the UK’s commitment to addressing the effects of climate change.

A new luxury hotel inside the refurbished power station will incorporate one of the largest ballrooms in London with a capacity for 2,000 guests. Other additions to the development, since the masterplan was announced in June, include a primary school, nursery, large health centre and a community centre.

When completed, the development will be home to around 7,000 people and up to 13,000 new jobs will be created. 3,500 homes will be built on the site and 2,500 jobs will be created during the construction phase. It is planned that construction work will start in 2012 and the development will be completed by 2020 – depending on the speed of the planning process.

Rob Tincknell said:

"The Eco-Dome and the Chimney will be a symbol of London and the UK’s commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change and will act as a signpost for the regenerated area of Nine Elms.

"We are very excited by our plans for the new amphitheatre where, under the cover of the Eco-Dome, 2,000 visitors will be able to watch performances sitting outdoors on natural grass while protected from the weather.

"The mix and scale of the development is a reflection of views expressed during intensive consultations over the last six months. We are also very pleased that the US Embassy is considering locating to Nine Elms and we have taken this into account when adjusting the mix of the development.

"Over the last 12 months we have, in conjunction with Transport for London, conducted a series of studies into our proposal to extend the Tube to Battersea which all demonstrate that the extension is extremely viable, fundable and a very sensible solution to the transport problems of the area."