Battersea Power Station submits revised masterplan for remaining 16 acres

PETALING JAYA (Sept 17): Battersea Power Station has submitted a planning application for a revised masterplan covering the remaining 16 acres of its 42-acre riverside development in Central London, proposing up to 3.2 million sq ft of new mixed-use space.

The future phases, comprising residential, commercial, leisure and cultural uses, would nearly double the scale of development already delivered at the former power station site, according to a statement dated Sept 14.

More than £5 billion (RM27.46 billion) has been invested in the regeneration to date, according to Battersea Power Station. The wider development is backed by Malaysian shareholders S P Setia Bhd, Sime Darby Property Bhd and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

The revised masterplan, prepared by Studio Egret West, updates architect Rafael Viñoly’s original plan, which is more than 15 years old, to reflect changes in how people live, work and spend their leisure time. It also incorporates feedback from public consultation and stakeholder engagement conducted over the summer.

The application comes after construction began earlier this month on Prospect Place South, comprising two buildings designed by Gehry Partners. The development will provide about 300 homes, 65,000 sq ft of commercial space and a 15,000 sq ft community hub, while completing the pedestrianised Electric Boulevard.

Smaller building clusters, more public space

Studio Egret West’s proposals divide the remaining phases into clusters of smaller buildings and introduce a finer network of streets, laneways, courtyards and passages to create a more open and connected neighbourhood.

New sightlines are planned between the buildings to strengthen visual connections with the Grade II* listed Power Station while keeping the restored landmark as the neighbourhood’s principal architectural feature.

The landscaping proposals include a connection across Nine Elms Lane to Nine Elms Park, alongside a planting strategy incorporating resilient species selected with biodiversity and climate considerations in mind.

The plans also envisage a “Third Generator”, a new venue inspired by the Power Station’s former role in generating one-fifth of London’s electricity. It is intended to accommodate activities spanning the arts, music, fashion, food, education, sport and creative industries.

Phase 5A has already received detailed planning permission and will deliver 200 council homes in partnership with Wandsworth Council. The other remaining phases will be subject to further design detail and Reserved Matters applications.

Battersea Project Holding Company chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said updating the masterplan was necessary as London had evolved since the project began in 2012.

“Projects of this scale and ambition take decades to bring to fruition, during which time cities naturally evolve and advance, and it’s our duty as custodians of a major undeveloped part of the city to take account of these adjustments,” he said.

Battersea Power Station Development Company CEO James Saunders said changes including Covid-19 and greater digital integration had altered the boundaries between work, living and leisure, prompting the revised plan to place greater emphasis on community and connectivity.

Studio Egret West founding director David West said the revised masterplan would create opportunities for more homes, workplaces, retail and leisure facilities, including a proposed hybrid cultural venue.

More than 2,200 homes delivered

Battersea Power Station has delivered more than 2,200 homes and about 800,000 sq ft of office space to date, while more than 170 shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues are operating across the riverside neighbourhood.

The development is home to more than 3,000 residents and 8,000 workers. The Northern Line Extension, which opened five years ago, connects the area directly to the City and West End.

The restored Power Station opened to the public in 2022 and has attracted more than 40 million visitors since then, according to the company.

The first half of the masterplan also includes a six-acre park and cultural and entertainment facilities, while the wider redevelopment has supported more than 7,500 jobs across construction, retail, hospitality and the creative industries.

In 2019, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) and EPF became the long-term owners of the commercial assets within the Power Station building.

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