Power Station Developer warns against blocking shorter tower

The developer behind Rafael Viñoly’s controversial £4.5 billion scheme for Battersea Power Station has warned that blocking its revised tower — now 250m high rather than 300m — could jeopardise the wider Nine Elms area regeneration.

Treasury Holdings’ Rob Tincknell told the Evening Standard on Tuesday that London mayor Boris Johnson should back the landmark “eco-chimney”.

Crucially, Vinoly’s scheme includes a new tube station.

Tincknell said: "If we freeze this, London will be saying it's in a time warp. It all comes down to one point. Do the powers that be understand the tower is a significant part of the economic viability of the project? On one side is a green project, a new Tube and the restoration of Battersea Power Station.

"On the other is the preservation of a view and the impact on that view may not be negative but may be seen by some people as negative. It all comes down to that one issue."

Also included in the latest scheme is a new one-acre performing arts amphitheatre for 2,000 people which would also create a naturally ventilated environment for the 1.3 million square feet of office space.

Other additions since the masterplan was announced in June include a new luxury hotel, a primary school, nursery, large health centre and a community centre.

Marguerite Lazel Build Design 8 January 2009

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