Many councils have Local Plans to give guidance to developers proposing projects in their areas. Wandsworth’s newest one has been in place since 19th July 2023, following several years of drafting and consultations. We recently saw a high profile, controversial proposal fall foul of it. Let’s have a closer look at One Battersea Bridge and the response to it. Then, if you need help with investment properties in Wandsworth, you can talk to us.

Proposal

Developer Rockwell has been planning a replacement for the Glassmill building for a while now. They want to redevelop the Brownfield site, home to a 80s office building, claiming it to be “underused”. The redevelopment would bring new homes, commercial space, and community space.

This has been one of the most controversial proposals for the area since the first announcement. In January 2024, the developer began exploring plans for a 38 storey tower. There was an immediate backlash, with hundreds of objections. This was quite funny because there was no planning application to object to at the time, highlighting confusion of the process.

Rockwell did submit a planning application in April last year, this time for a 34 storey tower. However, once again there was a wave of criticism. It sent the developer back to the drawing board. The latest plans are for a 29 storey tower, with 110 homes (including 54 for social rent). However, this time there have been over 1,900 objections, a petition, and condemnation from several stakeholders, including Historic England and the Battersea Society.

Concerns

There are a couple of notable things here that explain why the proposals are having so much difficulty. If you are thinking about a project and investment properties in Wandsworth, it is worth a look.

The most important factor is the location. Wandsworth’s Local Plan says the area is not appropriate for high rise developments. This is a spot where buildings are predominantly low and medium rise. As a result, there are height limits. So, a huge tower would have a massive impact on the character of the waterfront.

Another criticism is the impact on surrounding buildings and residents. Crucially, it will dramatically reduce the amount of daylight in homes in a housing block at 6 Hester Road.

Finally, there is criticism of the decision to have social rent homes in one building and private sale homes in another. It creates a barrier to social integration. Critics say we should be moving away from this kind of thinking, ensuring a mix of tenures in all developments.

Ultimately, Wandsworth Council agreed with many of the critics and their planning committee. Planners had the conclusion that the proposals for One Battersea Bridge were too excessive in terms of the size and scope. It would therefore have a negative impact on the character of the area. As a result, the planning application was rejected.

Do you want help with investment properties in Wandsworth?

Finefair Ltd loves that London is one of the most characterful cities in the world. It has an incredible mix of locations, from areas full of modern high rises to traditional spots. It means investors have a lot of choice. However, it also means developers have to think carefully about any proposals, ensuring they factor in things like Local Plans.

If you have any investment properties in Wandsworth and want some help, you can rely on us. We provide a great selection of services, including guaranteed rent so you can avoid financial issues, management, and more. You can speak to us to discuss your needs and learn more about us.