Wandsworth council has given the go-ahead to demolish four redundant gasholders close to Battersea Power Station, paving the way for further development in the Nine Elms area of London.
The 4.9-acre site on Prince of Wales Drive has long been the focus of redevelopment plans. Owner National Grid will now have to draw up a separate planning application for the land. It wants to build homes, shops, offices and leisure facilities on the space.
Wandsworth said that the demolition consent removes a potential barrier to regenerating neighbouring investment sites including Marco Polo House and Battersea Power Station.
Land surrounding a gasholder facility is subject to health and safety regulations that can prohibit development.
Planning chairman Cllr Nick Cuff said: “Demolishing the gasholders will be an important step towards bringing this redundant site back into use. We hope to see hundreds of new jobs and homes created here in the years ahead.
“The facility occupies a very important position next to Battersea Power Station where a new shopping area, Tube station and riverside park are planned. Redeveloping the gasholders site could create important new routes between this emerging town centre and established Battersea communities to the south.”
The gasholders are no longer needed to store gas and were decommissioned last year. Demolition works are expected to begin in the spring and would take around 16 months to complete.
samantha.mcclary@estatesgazette.com
