Ten-storey office building could soon be built at Battersea Studios
Plans were submitted to Wandsworth Council last month on behalf of Schroder UK Real Estate Fund. They include nine storeys of office space and light industrial use on the ground floor.
A planning statement submitted by the developer said the proposal “seeks to re-purpose a corner of the Battersea Studios site which is currently occupied by a largely redundant two-storey plant and telecommunications structure”.
The new building would be the third on the site, and referred to as BS3, if it is approved by the council’s planning committee.
The other two studios are two and five storeys respectively and mainly filled with office and flexible workspace.
The original studios is a converted 1970s warehouse that was previously a TV studio.
The whole campus sits in part of the Nine Elms and Battersea opportunity area, with major developments nearby such as Battersea Power Station.
The UK headquarters of Apple and Penguin Random House are set to relocate nearby, and will also benefit from the Northern Line Extension due to open in autumn this year.
There are currently 94 objections to the proposals on the council’s planning portal and one general comment.
Most people are concerned about the height of the new building and increased traffic.
One objector wrote: “Silverthorne road is a heavily congested street with toxic fumes from cars and many heavy goods vehicles and cement trucks.
“The traffic there is already horrendous, we thought some sense would be seen in paying attention to this street after the loss of yet another life, the cyclist killed by one of those cement truck drivers on the junction of Silverthorne road and Wandsworth road.”
They also questioned the need for more office space after the pandemic.
“Most work forces are maintaining a working from home routine, therefore how will this ten-storey building really survive in its current proposal as office spaces, it’s a joke, they will soon follow with the request for residential.
“The increase to people to this location whether in a commercial or residential aspect is just highly inconsiderate and a detriment to the area.”
You can comment on the proposals here: https://planning2.wandsworth.gov.uk/planningcase/comments.aspx?case=2021%2f0641
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