Residents oppose high-rise block in Battersea over fears it will ruin area’s ‘charm and beauty’

Battersea residents fear their town could turn into “Hong Kong or Shanghai” as plans for a 16-storey block of flats in South London have been submitted.

Vision Develop wants to build the tower block on Yelverton Road in Battersea, Wandsworth.

The build will include a mixture of office and creative space along with around 79 flats, but residents are furious.

In planning documents, local Olga Strauchold said: “Not another high rise in the neighbourhood!

“I live in the low rise on Wye Street and yet another high rise building will make it even more claustrophobic and secluded than it already is.

“Don’t turn Battersea into another Hong Kong or Shanghai with all these towers, preserve its charm and beauty!”

Michael Ibsen said: “I live in a flat in the group of old Victorian buildings on the corner of York Road and Yelverton Road, right next to the proposed development.

“If the development is given the go ahead and the real digging and pile driving starts I am extremely concerned that serious damage will be done to me and adjoining old properties.”

Stephen Mitchell said: “Proposed building is too high and will completely obscure the skyline and light to surrounding properties.”

The Battersea Society also lodged an objection to plans on the grounds of the design and height, lack of public transport capacity, as well as too many of the flats being one bedroom.

Developers say there will be 41 affordable homes with a mixture of one, two and three bed flats.

There will be a communal garden, six car parking spaces, cycle parking spaces at the basement level, a disabled car parking space on Yelverton Road and visitor cycle spaces on York Road.

Wandsworth Council are set to make a decision on plans in Thursday’s planning applications committee (December 16).

Recommendations are to approve subject to a legal agreement.