Wandsworth council leaders today welcomed the news that SP Setia and Sime Darby are in exclusive talks to buy Battersea Power Station.
The joint-venture partners have said they will retain the iconic power station’s façade and press on with plans to extend the Northern Line to Battersea.
But it is not yet clear whether they will alter other elements of the council’s consented masterplan for the area.
Helen Fisher, Wandsworth’s programme director for Nine Elms, said: “I am delighted that the SP Setia and Sime Darby partnership has been chosen as the preferred buyer for Battersea Power Station. This is an important step forward in securing the long-term future of this exciting new district of London and in delivering the Northern Line Extension.
“I am pleased to have a partner that shares our ambitions for the creation of a new town centre, which will bring a huge contribution to London’s economy, creating new jobs and helping to deliver the Northern Line Extension.
“From a development perspective, there is lots happening on a daily basis across Nine Elms and the confirmation of a preferred buyer for the power station adds to the momentum. It is an exciting time in the capital.”
Council leader Ravi Govindia said: “There is still some way to go, but this is potentially very good news.
“The power station is one of the biggest development opportunities in Nine Elms and key to extending the Northern Line into Battersea.
“We are making tremendous progress towards transforming this old industrial stretch of the South Bank which will provide up to 25,000 new jobs for London. It is important that this site and its iconic building are not left behind and that a developer is brought in who understands our vision for the new Nine Elms.”
The £5bn Battersea Power Station site is being sold with planning consent for 3,700 new homes, 1.6m sq ft of offices and 500,000 sq ft of shops and restaurants.
