Battersea Power Station is one of the most iconic buildings in London. And yet, for decades, it’s been left derelict and crumbling on the south bank of the Thames.  The building is in Wandsworth, but its part of a wider regeneration zone that stretches up to Lambeth’s borders at Vauxhall. 

A group of developers have come up with a new scheme for the old power station.  They want to use it and the acres of land that surround it to build a vibrant new community of businesses, shops and homes.  The refurbished power station sits at the heart of the plans, but it would be surrounded by new buildings including a tall eco-tower that uses natural convection to cool the offices and apartments in the building.  The plans offer 7,000 new homes and 12,000 new jobs as well as a new shopping centre.  What an opportunity for people living in north Lambeth! 

Our borough would benefit, too, from a proposed extension to the northern line.  A new spur would be created linking Kennington with a station at Battersea Power Station, with a further new stop in between at Nine Elms.  This would all be funded by the developers, not by the public purse. 

Taking a tour of the power station, I have to say I was stunned.  Not only is its size awesome, but many of the original art-deco features including tiling and intricately designed pillars are all still in place.  After years of sitting derelict, wouldn’t it be wonderful to see this beautiful old building finally brought back into use?