Residents fuming over the height added to two new hotel plans next to London’s famous Sky Pool

By James Mayer, local democracy reporter

More than 500 people are against a scheme for two hotel’s designs to be expanded to create a total of almost 900 rooms.

The 15 and 11-storey hotels planned for Nine Elms were approved in May 2021 by Wandsworth Council, but developers have since proposed some changes.

Dominvs Group now plans to increase the number of rooms across both hotels to 890. The smaller hotel will have 360 rooms and the larger hotel 530 rooms.

Local Labour MP Marsha de Cordova and developers Ballymore opposed the hotels, mainly due to the increase in height compared to what was agreed in the original master plan for the area.

A petition run by local residents against the scheme reached more than 500 signatures.

Both hotels are now designed to be operated independently by different hoteliers, as opposed to the same one.

If approved, the hotels would be open by 2024 and take just eight months to be built.

The scheme is also 25 per cent smaller than original plans as there will now be no conferencing facility and minimal development at the basement level.

Additional trees and landscaping between the two hotels are also proposed in the new plans.

The hotel plans could create up to 325 jobs, increase spending in local businesses, bring food pop-ups and host art and culture events.

In planning documents, Dominvs Group said: “We will deliver all the commitments we made as part of the approved plans and are also exploring ways to provide additional benefits.

“This includes a Covid recovery fund to support local engagement, arts and culture, and targeted employment and skills initiatives.

“We anticipate the updated proposals will deliver enhanced economic, social and environmental benefits.”