Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is demanding Transport for London (TfL) reconsiders plans for the Northern line extension over fears it will force its animals to be relocated.

The rescue home, in Battersea Park Road, Battersea, is within touching distance of a new station planned to open at Battersea Power Station.

Chiefs at the charity have said the welfare of the animals could be affected during construction, while the extension would mean the rescue home could not expand in the future.

The Northern line extension, which still needs Government approval, may also force the dogs home to vacate parts of the property if TfL is granted a Transport Works Act Order.

Claire Horton, chief executive at the charity, has written to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, claiming TfL's plans are "excessive and complaingin the transport body has "insufficient understanding of the complexity and sophistication of the facilities at our building."

Ms Horton said: "The welfare of our animals is always our priority.

"Although there is no expectation Battersea Dogs & Cats Home will have to permanently lose part of our London centre, the potential impact of the works to facilitate the Northern Line Extension, and TfL's current proposals to address them, leave us with many unresolved concerns in relation to animal welfare and our operations more generally.

"We are in talks with TfL, and do need them to work positively with us to secure a viable solution."

Michèle Dix, managing director of planning for TfL, said: "We are working through a Transport and Works Act Order process and are not expecting a decision on the Northern line extension from the Government until summer 2014.

"If this goes ahead it might be necessary to have temporary access to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home site as the proposed route of the tunnels runs underneath it.

"However we are in very positive discussions with the charity about minimising the effect of this work and no animals will have to leave the site."

Chivas Brothers, operators of the Beefeater Gin distillery, in Kennington, has also objected to TfL's plans to build a ventilation shaft in neighbouring Kennington.

 

TODAY'S TOP WANDSWORTH STORIES