Final Battersea chimneys approved for demolition

Battersea Power Station has been given the go-ahead to start demolition of the remaining three original chimneys.

The work was approved by Wandsworth council after Historic England inspectors and independent engineers confirmed that the first chimney to be rebuilt has reached the half-way point.

The chimney is slated to reach its full 50m height by the end of the year, a few months behind the original schedule. This is because of the painstaking nature of the work, Building was told.

Under a planning agreement the other three chimneys could not be demolished until the rebuild of the first had reached this point.

Cllr Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth council, said: “These chimneys are a defining feature of the London skyline so as the local planning authority we have a profound duty of care to make sure the rebuilding process is a success. With each of these structures towering above the Power Station’s brickwork we also have to recognise that this is a truly unique engineering challenge.

“I’m delighted to confirm that the first major milestone has been reached and that the methods are proving successful. I want to thank everyone involved for the superb job they’ve done and I look forward to seeing this incredibly exciting project move forward apace.”

The power station, whose restoration and conversion into offices and shops is being designed by Purcell and Wilkinson Eyre, will open to the public in 2019.