Battersea Power Station will be left with one chimney while reconstruction work takes place.

Wandsworth Council's planning committee approved a deed of variation last night to change the sequence of how the building's chimneys are rebuilt.

The new sequence means the Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) can being reconstruction work on only one chimney.

When it has been rebuilt the remaining three will be removed and rebuilt at the same time, leaving the London skyline with a solitary chimney.

Originally SP Setia and BPSDC agreed to remove and reconstruct the chimneys sequentially, or one at a time but said this will delay the redevelopment.

The new sequence will speed up the process by an estimated eight months.

BPSDC said: "The shareholders of Battersea Power Station are fully committed to the restoration of the listed Power Station building, including the reconstruction of the four iconic chimneys which are in very poor condition.

"This work ensures the refurbished building will have a bright and long future for many years to come.

"The shareholders of Battersea Power Station and BPSDC are therefore pleased that the London Borough of Wandsworth  has resolved to approve the plans to speed up the chimney replacement process. 

"This means the redevelopment of the Power Station building can potentially be delivered up to a year and a half earlier than originally scheduled."

But the proposal has raised fears with campaigners and amenity groups who fear the move would result in the chimneys being removed completely.

Last month power station campaigner Keith Garner said: "It is entirely plausible the owners will take the chimneys down and then contrive some reason why they can’t be rebuilt."

Amenity group The Clapham Society said an independent surveyor should be hired to find out if the chimneys need rebuilding.

 

TODAY'S TOP WANDSWORTH STORIES