The Mini Token Blog

London mayor Boris Johnson has said the £5.5 billion plan for revival of the derelict Battersea Power Station, put forward by Rafael Vinoly does not fall in line with the London Plan but has great architecture.

Johnson asked the developers to include more details in their plans about how the restoration of the area will affect parking and local transport along with the retail opportunities that it will offer.

Johnson, however, appreciated the public space proposals that were included in the development scheme and praised the designs of the buildings close to the area near the power station.

A letter from Johnson’s office said the design of the proposed buildings maintained a fair balance between the new, modern setting that was being planned for the area and the historic setting of the iconic site.

The plans are aimed at transforming the power station while adding new features around the riverside Wandsworth location, which include 150,000 sq m of desk space, 3,700 homes, and 46,500 sq m of retail space. The proposal was initially submitted for approval in October last year.

Johnson stressed that the area needed to be developed carefully as it was a historical landmark in the city. He said he was happy with the way the plan had come about but added that the developers could convert the plan into a master plan that would also prove advantageous to the Lambeth and Wandsworth councils.