A group a French mayors arrived during the week to see first-hand how regeneration is done at Battersea Power Station.

In total, 30 mayors from different Parisian boroughs attended the event, which took place on Tuesday, March 28.

Cabinet member for communications and west Putney representative Councillor Steffi Sutters spoke at the event.

She said: “I was delighted to share our vision for the Nine Elms regeneration area and in particular our ambitions for our communities who are benefiting from new affordable housing schemes jobs, educational and training opportunities and a great programme of cultural activities.

“With my background working for an architectural practice I get a real kick when I see how far we have come and there is still so much more in the pipeline.”

The decommissioned coal-fired power station in Nine Elms is undergoing a massive regeneration that includes plans to build more than 800 homes and Circus West Village, an area that will only welcome independent retailers in an effort to sustain a warm, village feel.

Guest speaker Dame Caroline Spelman, MP for Meriden in the West Midlands, said it was a “great credit” to the council and to the power station that a delegation of French Mayors would come in person to see how the project was progessing and “to see at first-hand how they have worked with the community and how the impact of jobs and training opportunities are being felt locally”.

Rob Tincknell, chief executive at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: “It’s a great honour for Battersea power station to host a delegation from Paris who have come to see at first-hand how complicated, inner city sites like the ower station can be successfully regenerated to bring about real improvements in the quality of life for local people.

“By creating new parkland, building a new underground line connection and putting together a blend of shops, offices, restaurants and homes we have tried to make sure there is something for everybody at the power station and this approach is one that others around the world want to learn more about.”