Developers of Battersea Power Station have said plans to create a huge super sewer across the Thames may halt its redevelopment.

Battersea Power Station Owning Group (BPS) is claiming the Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT) plans could render flats unsellable and put the Northern Line extension in jeopardy.

Thames Water is currently running a consultation on plans to build a 25km tunnel under the Thames to prevent raw sewage flowing into the river.

The scheme would involve creating six construction sites in Wandsworth, and others close to the borough boundary including one at Barn Elms.

As little as 2mm of rain can cause the current sewer system to overload and spill into the Thames, killing fish and other wildlife.

But the peak of the construction phase is set to clash with redevelopment plans for Battersea Power Station's new office hub in 2019.

In a submission to Thames Water the BPS Owning Group claim the TTT work will have an impact on traffic and amenity spaces.

The comment said: "The TTT works will compound an already disadvantaged area of the site to the extent that it may well serve to render the properties in RS2 unsellable or at best reduce the value of the properties thus compromising the deliverability of the Power Station."

BPS Owning Group also claim the tunnel could affect the Northern Line extension, because funding is being provided by business rates on the Battersea Power Station site. 

The statement said: "Providing a positive working environment is critical to the success of attracting occupiers to this new office location.

"The introduction of major infrastructure works that will compromise views towards the river as well as the impact of noise, odour and traffic on the public realm could render the offices unlettable, which compromises the deliverability of the Power Station and the funding of the Northern Line extension."

Residential units contained within 18 storey tower blocks could be impacted by the tunnel development and affect views.

BPS have said delivery of affordable housing would also be slowed down by the tunnel.

A spokeswoman for TTT said: "A number of organisations and individuals have made representations to the Planning Inspectorate and we are mitigating the impacts of constructing the tunnel wherever possible.

"We are in regular dialogue with both the Battersea Power Station development company and the Northern Line extension to ensure impacts of these three major projects on each other are mitigated through a collaborative approach."

The consultation stage for the tunnel is due to end by March, with a decision expected by Autumn 2014.

 

TODAY'S TOP WANDSWORTH STORIES