The developer behind one of London’s biggest redevelopment projects has nearly halved the number of affordable homes it originally planned to offer.

In 2011, Battersea Power Station Development Company earmarked 636 homes as affordable but this has been cut to 386 in a recent amendment.

The company has put the move down to a rise in construction costs and “technical issues” with the Power Station’s restoration that could not have been foreseen.

A spokesperson at Battersea Power Station said the “first” 386 affordable homes will be ready for people to move into in 2020, “three years ahead of schedule.”

The project is to be completed over the course of 15 years so the hope remains to add more in time.

According to BPSDC: “The team remains focused on delivering the full amount of 15 per cent affordable homes which equates to 636 homes over the course of this project.”

However, the move has been met with disapproval with the Mayor of London saying he was “extremely concerned” about the reduction and has sought advice on how to stop it happening.

Sadiq Khan said: “As this was a change to planning consent granted under the previous Mayor, I have no powers to intervene.

“London is in the midst of a housing crisis and it is clear our great city needs more affordable homes for Londoners, not fewer.”

“I would urge Wandsworth council to thoroughly scrutinise this application, and then reject the reduction of much-needed affordable homes on the site.”

A spokesperson for Wandsworth Anti-austerity Campaign said: “Wandsworth, like all areas must cater for everyone in the community, regardless of their wealth or backgrounds.”

A report by a Wandsworth council planning officer recommends the proposals go though.

It states: “Officers appreciate the level of stresses a scheme of this size and complexity has and that the main priorities of the scheme have been the conservation and redevelopment of the listed power station building, the delivery of the Northern Line extension and new underground station and the jobs to be created as part of the new town centre.”