Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger backs fight against 34-storey tower ‘skyline’ by Battersea Bridge

Mick Jagger has thrown his support behind a growing campaign against plans to build an “appalling” 34-storey tower block at the bottom of Battersea Bridge. The Rolling Stones frontman has joined a campaign led by Rob McGibbon, 58, who is fighting to stop the proposals going ahead.

The looming tower, known as One Battersea Bridge, would replace an empty nine-storey office building on the corner of the River Thames and Battersea Bridge Road. It would have 142 homes, including 45 affordable homes, and offices. Developer Promonotoria Battersea Ltd submitted the plans to Wandsworth Council earlier this year and residents can still provide feedback, which will be considered by officers after the consultation closes.

The plans have sparked widespread anger from residents on both sides of the river, with Mr McGibbon’s Change.org petition to launch his campaign gaining more than 1,950 signatures as of June 2. Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Felicity Kendal and Anthea Turner are among the celebrities who have backed his campaign so far.

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Opponents’ main concerns include the size of the proposed tower, that it would spoil river views and cause traffic problems. Mr McGibbon said: “I think people are really horrified that anyone can think this design is a good idea. It does not guarantee any merit at any level”.

The journalist and campaigner wants his campaign to bring together residents of Chelsea and Battersea, on both sides of the river, to oppose the plans. He said: “It’s not about Chelsea residents getting a spoiled view – it’s much, much bigger than that. The whole point of my campaign is to unite two areas of London, Chelsea and Battersea, against one development.”

Mr McGibbon said the proposed tower would be too large and out of character in the area, which is “unscathed” by tall buildings. He added that the “horrendous” plans would destroy the historic views of the river, bring no benefit to the area and make traffic along Battersea Bridge worse.

He told LDRS: “This development has absolutely no intention of bringing anything of value to the community, architecturally or in terms of building space. It is simply a monument to make money for foreign investors. It has no sense of community aspect. .. a fraction of what will be built there will go towards affordable housing.”

He continued: “It will cause total chaos on Battersea Bridge which is already very busy. It will probably take three to five years to build, so the traffic will be incredible – plus, even in the future, to have that number of residents right there. Battersea Bridge will make traffic and flow worse forever.”

Mr McGibbon expressed concern that the application would set a worrying precedent if approved as it did not comply with council policy. The Local Plan, adopted last year, identifies buildings of only up to six storeys in height as suitable for the site.

He said: “When you go from Chelsea Bridge to Wandsworth Bridge it’s pretty unscathed, especially around Battersea. This is a very precious, protected area. If we get a tower here, then there will be other towers. precedent and before we know it, it will end up looking like Nine Elms and Vauxhall… so we have to fight this one as best we can.”

Labor council leader Simon Hogg outlined his objection to the plans after speaking to “concerned” residents. He wrote on X on Wednesday (June 12) that the tower “would do more harm than good to the local area”. The petition can be found here.

A spokesman for the development said: “Our regeneration plans will replace an energy-inefficient office building that is no longer fit for purpose in modern London with 142 much-needed new homes, 45 of which will be affordable. Addressing the urgent need for new housing. , high quality housing in Wandsworth, this development will provide an affordable home for at least 160 local residents.

“The proposal also includes 100% accessible office space for Battersea’s SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and startups to thrive and a new community center for local charities – three charities have already expressed interest in the use of space. the whole community should benefit from the planned improvements in the public domain’.

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