Battersea dump Arup
The saga of Battersea power station continues; after being sold to Treasury Holdings, and after the council had allowed work to start on the site, after changing the planning conditions they had stipulated, it now seems that rumours of Treasury bringing on new designers are correct.
Poor Arup, who have been working on the site for over a decade, alongside West 8, Benson & Forsyth and others more recently, seem set to be dumped as Treasury have drawn up a secret shortlist of new masterplanners including Fosters, SOM and Vinoly. This is despite the original masterplan having gained planning consent. It seems that Treasury aren't even talking to the original team and have also frozen out English Heritage, who are still chasing a meeting date, according to the AJ.
The rumours are of course that Treasury want to increase the residential element of the scheme to make the financils more appealing. Treasury are, of course, issuing non-commital comments. But whatever, this will only delay what is already a scandalously handled project in an iconic London site.
Poor Arup, who have been working on the site for over a decade, alongside West 8, Benson & Forsyth and others more recently, seem set to be dumped as Treasury have drawn up a secret shortlist of new masterplanners including Fosters, SOM and Vinoly. This is despite the original masterplan having gained planning consent. It seems that Treasury aren't even talking to the original team and have also frozen out English Heritage, who are still chasing a meeting date, according to the AJ.
The rumours are of course that Treasury want to increase the residential element of the scheme to make the financils more appealing. Treasury are, of course, issuing non-commital comments. But whatever, this will only delay what is already a scandalously handled project in an iconic London site.
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