Satisfaction: Mick Jagger prevails in bid to block Battersea tower
Rock star Sir Mick Jagger has won a two-year planning battle to block a controversial 29-storey tower in Battersea, proving you can get what you want.
The Rolling Stones frontman had been joined by a host of stars including guitarist Eric Clapton, actress Felicity Kendall and comedian Harry Hill in opposing the development.
A planning application for the 100m-tall tower was thrown out by Wandsworth Council in April, and its decision has now been backed in a planning tribunal.
Rockwell Property, the developer behind the building, had initially proposed a 34-storey tower including 142 flats but later watered down its plans to include 110 flats – 54 of which were set to be affordable homes.
The proposals had been met with more than 2,000 objections and over 6,000 signatures on petitions calling for the plans to be blocked.
Tower would have been ‘overbearing’
The Chelsea Society, Battersea Society and Historic England each opposed the development, which had been criticised for its allegedly inappropriate height and style compared to the surrounding area.
Wandsworth’s planning committee had described the site as “an unacceptable and incongruous transformative change”.
A planning inspector slapped down Rockwell’s appeal this week, ruling that the “overbearing” tower would have “adverse effects on the character and appearance of the local area”.
Joanna Gilbert, reviewing the appeal, said: “The proposal would cause a dramatic change to the skyline in views along this part of the [Thames] embankment. Overall, this change would be detrimental.”
“The proposal is not exemplary, extraordinary, remarkable or distinctive, just tall.”
The planning inspector attacked the building’s appearance: “It would not adorn the London skyline and would not form part of a ribbon cluster of tall buildings, but would appear alien and isolated in its very height in this location, harming spatial character.”
Jagger: Battersea tower ‘made no sense’
Jagger, who moved to Chelsea with his bandmates in the early 1960s, told The Chelsea Citizen the tower made “no sense”.
“If this goes ahead, it could lead to more tall buildings being built … changing this wonderful stretch of the Thames riverside forever,” he said.
Rockwell said following its failed appeal: “We are obviously disappointed with the decision as we firmly believe in this regeneration project. We wanted to see it delivered and made a number of changes to the scheme following feedback from the public.”
“We did not compromise on quality, using the world-renowned architects, Farrells, so it is disappointing the inspector did not share our view that this would be a great addition to London’s skyline.”