Prison cells will become en suites as an Edwardian police station undergoes a radical transformation.

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You didn't want to end up in here for the night 

Battersea Police station closed in September last year after more than 100 years in service to make way for a new Local Policing Model.

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A detainee's loo for the night 

Developers Linden Homes purchased the site, on Battersea Bridge Road, in December and will partially demolish the building, while retaining the original façade to create 46 flats.

Extensions will be built on the back of the property up to five-storeys high to include apartments made up of both private and affordable housing and a communal space.

The site has been owned by the police since 1858, with the first station built as officer accommodation. However the old building was plagued with flooding issues and the new station was designed and built in 1911.

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Ominous cell doors 

Director and architect Nick Mulholland from AWW Inspired Environment said the proposals had received good community support and added: "The cells in the basement take some time to break down. They are big fixtures with stainless steel doors.

"The station had a number of specialised units in the police station operating there. There are lots of security enclosures in the building.

"It was quite an important police station in terms of London-wide police strategy.

"Battersea was bombed in the Second World War and the rhythm of the road is quite interesting - there are lots of different period buildings.

"I think it will be quite interesting once they start lifting up the basement level - I think there will be some interesting finds."

Wandsworth Times:

Before: Battersea Police Station today 

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After: How it is expected to look after development 

As part of the new policing model, Putney Bridge Road police station also closed and Tooting Police Station was downgraded to be opened a few hours a day to the public.

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CGI images show the scale of the project 

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The proposed north view 


Wandsworth Council Leader, Ravi Govindia, praised the proposals and added: "This is not a listed building so it's all the more pleasing that the developer opted for a sensitive conversation rather than demolition and new-build."

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Ravi met with the developers last week