Planning Inspector Supports Council's Rejection of Thames Riverside Tower
Celebrities including Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger have successfully opposed plans to construct a 29-storey tower along the River Thames.
Jagger, alongside fellow musician Eric Clapton, actor, and comedian Harry Hill, contested the developer Rockwell Property's proposal for two years. The plan involved erecting a 100-metre tower adjacent to Battersea Bridge. Had it been built on the south bank of the Thames in south-west London, the tower would have matched the height of the iconic chimneys of Battersea power station.
Mick Jagger, aged 82, who has resided on the north bank since the early 1960s, as have bandmates Brian Jones and Keith Richards, expressed strong opposition to the project.
"The tower made ‘no sense’ and was ‘totally wrong on every level’."
In an interview with the Chelsea Citizen in March, Jagger stated:
"I have lived in this area for a long time and I care about what happens to it. If this goes ahead, it could lead to more tall buildings being built … changing this wonderful stretch of the Thames riverside forever."
Eric Clapton, 81, also voiced concerns, warning of potential consequences if the plans were approved.
"This would be a ‘free-for-all for other developers to build towers along the river’. These developers don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. They are just in it for the money."
Development Proposal and Council Rejection
Rockwell Property initially proposed a 34-storey tower comprising 142 flats. This was later reduced to 110 flats, including 54 affordable homes, along with underground parking and a mix of commercial spaces. The developer maintained that the project addressed “an urgent need for new, high-quality housing” in the area.
Wandsworth council rejected the plans, citing the project’s “excessive height and scale.” The council stated the development:
"Would represent an unacceptable and incongruous transformative change within the location that would significantly harm the spatial character of the same location."
Additionally, the council noted that the tower would spoil the skyline and “devastate” neighbours’ lives. The Greater London Authority supported the council’s decision.
Planning Inspector Upholds Objections
Rockwell appealed the decision but was unsuccessful. A planning inspector upheld the objections and the council’s stance, ruling that the tower would have “adverse effects on the character and appearance of the local area” and would be “overbearing.”
Following an eight-day public hearing, planning inspector Joanna Gilbert commented:
"The proposal would cause harm to townscape character in several identified views from different directions and differing distances."
"[It] would be taller and bulkier than other existing buildings, rendering it highly noticeable. 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 inspector further stated:
"The proposal is not exemplary, extraordinary, remarkable or distinctive, just tall. 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."
Developer's Response
Rockwell issued a statement expressing disappointment with the decision:
"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."
The developer added:
"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."
