A £900,000 makeover is set to transform Battersea High Street after councillors voted to approve the scheme.

It is hoped the plans will revitalise the area’s businesses, and make it nicer for people who live and work there.

Cllr Rory O’Broin, cabinet member for economic development, skills and employment, said: “Local businesses have been calling for the high street to get a facelift, and we’ve listened to what they’ve told us and drawn up a comprehensive list of improvements that will make the area a much more welcoming place for shoppers and visitors.

“This scheme will improve the look and feel of the high street and support its economic growth and activity.”

The scheme involves improving the paving, creating two small green spaces, removing a lot of the street furniture and planting a dozen trees in the southern part of the high street: the roughly 100m section between the junction with Simpson Street and the box junction with Battersea Park Road.

This section of the high street will remain essentially vehicle-free under the new plans.

Highways and transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “We believe this scheme will make a big difference to the appearance and atmosphere of the high street, make it safer and more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists and much more pleasant for people who live and work in this part of Battersea.”

Council officers first started work on bringing proposals forward in 2016, when they presented their ideas to take to consultation, promising a “heritage feel” to the high street.

A consultation carried out earlier this year showed 84 per cent of respondents were in favour of the re-vamp, and just nine per cent were opposed.

The Strategic Planning and Transformation Committee approved £575,000 of the council’s money to go towards the scheme at a meeting on September 18.

Transport for London will now decide whether to formally approve the remaining £325,000, which has already been allocated to the borough, for use on these plans. Work is likely to begin in spring 2019.