{"id":354834,"date":"2026-01-06T08:17:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T08:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/354834\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T08:17:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T08:17:18","slug":"farrells-rejected-battersea-tower-scheme-heads-to-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/354834\/","title":{"rendered":"Farrells\u2019 rejected Battersea tower scheme heads to appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rockwell has taken its battle against Wandsworth Council\u2019s rejection of the project to the Planning Inspectorate and demanded an inquiry. Inspector Joanna Gilbert was allocated to the case last month.<\/p>\n

Farrells applied last year<\/a> to demolish Michael Lyell Associates\u2019 1980s Glassmills office block next to the River Thames.<\/p>\n

The practice originally designed a 39-storey tower for the site but later lopped 10 floors off the height. A shoulder block would stand at 10 storeys under the final plans and feature a communal rooftop garden.<\/p>\n

More than 50 of the proposed homes would be for social rent, equating to 50 per cent designated \u2018affordable\u2019 by habitable room.<\/p>\n

However, councillors on the London Borough of Wandsworth\u2019s planning committee in April voted to refuse consent for the scheme<\/a> amid concern over its scale.<\/p>\n

Historic England objected to the \u2018visually intrusive and incongruous addition to the townscape\u2019, while the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea described the scheme as \u2018discordant, dominating and oppressive\u2019.<\/p>\n

Planning officers at the borough recommended the scheme be rejected due to its size and harm to heritage assets.<\/p>\n

Mick Jagger was among the celebrities reported to have backed a campaign to stop the project<\/a>. A petition gained more than 5,000 signatures while the council received in excess of 2,000 objections.<\/p>\n

Planners said Farrells\u2019 tower would harm five conservation areas as well as the Grade II*-listed Albert Bridge and Grade II-listed Battersea Bridge, a view from Hyde Park, Grade I-listed St Mary church, Grade I-listed Royal Hospital Chelsea and Grade II*-listed Battersea Park.<\/p>\n

\u2018A much more significant reduction in height would be required in this location to avoid causing harm to designated heritage assets [\u2026] and reduce the visual dominance in its immediate and wider context,\u2019 officers concluded.<\/p>\n

Councillors rejected the application but now Rockwell has appealed against that decision.<\/p>\n

Managing director Nicholas Mee said: \u2018It is very disappointing that Wandsworth Council refused to support this great opportunity for high-quality homes, designed by the world-renowned architects Farrells.\u2019<\/p>\n

As well as \u2018much-needed affordable social rented homes\u2019, the scheme would provide affordable workspace, a free-to-access community hub run by local charities and major public realm improvements, according to the developer.<\/p>\n

Mee said the proposals would \u2018transform an underused site and replace a building no longer fit for purpose\u2019.<\/p>\n

He added: \u2018If London is to meet its housing targets, developments in sustainable locations like this, which attracted 1,900 letters of support, need to be granted without having to go through lengthy appeals.\u2019<\/p>\n

Farrells has been contacted for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

View of the site from Battersea Bridge<\/p>\n

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