Reduced Height Proposed for Battersea Bridge Skyscraper


Developer submits revised plan for 34-storey tower

Visualisation of One Battersea Bridge Road schemeVisualisation of now abandoned One Battersea Bridge Road scheme. Picture: Farrells

May 3, 2024

Fresh plans have been submitted to build a 34-storey apartment block at the bottom of Battersea Bridge in South London. Developer Rockwell Property has slashed the proposed height of the tower from 39 storeys, which included the ground floor, after hundreds of people objected.

The changes mean the maximum number of flats that could be provided in the tower at 1 Battersea Bridge Road has fallen from 170 to 142. The revised proposals have been revealed in a new screening report submitted by company Promontoria Battersea Ltd to Wandsworth Council. The report outlines the scheme to check whether an environmental statement needs to be submitted with the formal planning application, which has not yet been submitted.

The Glassmill office building at the corner of the River Thames and Battersea Bridge Road, which has been empty since 2021, would be demolished to make way for the new apartment block. The tower would reach up to 34 storeys, including the ground floor, and have offices and community space.

It comes after Rockwell Property confirmed to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in February it had scrapped original plans for the site so it could reduce the proposed height of the tower after reviewing feedback from residents. A total of 340 residents had objected to the previous scoping opinion request outlining the developer’s original plans for tower up to 39 storeys tall on the site.

One resident wrote the ‘ridiculously tall building’ would ‘stick out like the world’s largest sore thumb’. He said: “It would be a very quick way to ruin the feel of the whole place. It is entirely incongruous with its surroundings, with our Battersea, with the whole charming aesthetic of our neighbourhood.”

Another resident described the proposed tower as a ‘monstrosity’. She commented, “Having lived in the area for 15 years I am very much in support of any progressive and positive development. This is not it. The proposed building takes from the residents of Battersea – the skyline, the beautiful view along the river – and all it gives in return is a hideous eyesore.”


The existing Glassmill building on the site on Battersea Bridge Road, Battersea. Picture: Google Streetview

A Rockwell Property spokesperson previously told the LDRS the revised proposals will deliver ‘much-needed affordable homes’ exceeding council policy targets, along with ‘affordable workspace for local businesses and… new spaces for the community’.

The spokesperson added: “Rockwell is committed to creating a lasting legacy for Battersea and our proposal will include a free-to-access community space which will be run and managed by local charities. We also recognise the need to enhance biodiversity and urban greening in this part of Wandsworth, and we are proposing significant public realm upgrades along the Thames Path and Battersea Bridge Road.

“One Battersea Bridge will be an exemplar development targeting net zero in construction and operation. It has huge potential to contribute positively to this thriving part of London, and we look forward to progressing our proposal for this exceptional development.”

Charlotte Lilywhite - Local Democracy Reporter