Controversial plans for a new 'flagship' £108 million Royal College of Art (RCA) building in Battersea have been approved amid an ‘extremely concerning’ number of objections.

Some people were sitting on the floor inside a packed room as Wandsworth Council’s planning applications committee backed the proposals, subject to conditions, last night (January 25).

The 'flagship' building, located for Battersea Bridge Road and Parkgate Road, is designed to be a teaching and research facility for postgraduates and entrepreneurs.

It comes after more than 190 objection comments were submitted since November last year, out of 226, while more than 540 people have signed a petition started by the ‘Save Parkgate Road’ group demanding for work to be halted until additional revisions are made.

Following comments from councillors Piers McCausland and Tony Belton, councillor and committee chairman Will Sweet said: “I’m also extremely concerned about the number of objections that have come from local residents. It is a high number, we can’t deny that.

“Not only that but we’ve heard from councillor [Tessa] Strickland this evening, and councillor [Melanie] Hampton and councillor [Rory] O’Broin have been in touch outlining their own objections to this scheme and explaining why some residents are very distressed about it.

“What’s clear to me, from both various representations is that a scheme like this needs to work for local residents, it needs to give something back to the community.”

A case planning officer said there is scope for an informative condition to extend public opening hours to before 9am and after 6pm, as well as a clearer definition on how the hangar space will be used.

Councillor Richard Field also noted of letters reportedly written by some RCA students expressing concern over the consultation, however he asked they directed their messages to the university’s management.

Mr Sweet added: “I do think this is a finely balanced decision in some respects, which councillor Strickland has communicated, but there are also a huge number of benefits to the borough.

“At the least a £100 million [plus] investment in a state-of-the-art facility, right in the heart of Battersea.”

The university said it has undertaken more than 30 hours of ‘extensive’ consultation with people involved, including neighbours, students, and stakeholders which ‘directly informed and shaped the proposals’.

RCA vice-chancellor Dr Paul Thompson said: "The creation of the new Battersea campus is a landmark moment in the history of the RCA, as we embrace new design and creative disciplines and offer our students unparalleled studio, workshop, and high-tech facilities.

"We are delighted by the support we have received from both local and central government in helping us realise an entirely new type of art & design university which will contribute to the developing cultural quarter in Battersea."

Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2018, completed in April 2020, and open to students that following September.