Buildings at the Battersea Power Station development could rise to about 65 metres, well above the 35-39 metres already approved, prompting heritage concerns over the Grade II listed landmark.

Wandsworth Council’s Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee discussed an application to vary conditions on the outline planning permission for the wider development, focusing on changes to building heights and land use in future phases of the project.

The committee heard that the application seeks to increase the height of buildings in very localised areas, specifically towards the right-hand side of phase four and on phase 5B. The consented height for these phases was approximately 35-39 metres. The proposed maximum is about 65 metres for phase four and about 59-60 metres for phase 5B.

The increases are described as responding to underground site constraints and aligning with rising development heights across the Nine Elms area.

But councillors expressed reservations about the impact on the heritage value and setting of the power station. One councillor said the increased height would have an adverse effect on heritage value, arguing that the bulk of the power station building itself contributes to its significance and that this is disappearing with new developments surrounding it.

Representatives from Battersea Power Station explained that the total floor area is not increasing, but rather being redistributed due to site constraints. They emphasised that the design principles, including respecting the power station's significance and ensuring surrounding buildings do not challenge the chimneys' height, have been preserved.

Concerns were also raised about the heritage of industrial cranes along the coaling jetty, which were removed for restoration and have not been seen since. The committee was assured that the cranes remain part of the building consent and are being stored, with plans for their eventual return, although their re-emergence in visualisations of the development was questioned. The project to restore and return the cranes is approximately halfway complete, and they are being monitored by Historic England while in storage.

The committee welcomed the proposed increase in permeability across the site, which aims to create more seamless movement for pedestrians and enhance views of the power station. The committee noted the significance of the development, including the contribution of architect Frank Gehry, whose firm designed what was described as his only major building in the UK.

The committee's comments will be reported to the Planning Applications Committee for their consideration.