Twin towers for Clapham Junction? (From Your Local Guardian)

Twin towers for Clapham Junction?

10:54am Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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Clapham Junction will have its own 39-storey twin towers, if an ambitious project gets the go ahead.

As well as the skyscapers, developers are also planning a two-floor shopping plaza and a facelift for Clapham Junction station.

"It is too early for us to take a position. We have some issues to raise and height is possibly the biggest, as well as the lack of bus station. We believe there should be a bus interchange facility also."

Harvey Heath, Battersea Society

The group behind the proposals have labelled the project "A new heart for Battersea", but at 127 metres the height of the towers has raised concerns.

A spokesman for developer Metro Shopping Fund - a joint venture between Delancey and Land Securities - said: "This is a one-off opportunity to aid the regeneration of Clapham Junction town centre and facilitate significant improvements to the railway station.

"Being located at a major transport interchange significantly reduces the need for car travel and substantial cycle parking facilities will be provided...and at least 20 per cent of the energy used will come from renewable sources."

He added the plans were backed by Network Rail.

Chairman of the Battersea Society, Harvey Heath, said: "It is too early for us to take a position. We have some issues to raise and height is possibly the biggest, as well as the lack of bus station. We believe there should be a bus interchange facility also."

If approved a two-level pedestrian street will have shops, open air cafes and bars - and provide access to 37 residential floors providing 500 flats.

The station will have two new entrances at Grant Road and St John's Hill - the latter being set in the listed Brighton Building.

Escalators will be installed between a new ticket hall and improvements would also be made to the subway.

Lifts will also be installed to provide access to all 17 platforms from the footbridge.

The proposals will be exhibited to the public from January 23 to the 26 at the Shop Stop centre at Clapham Junction before an application is submitted around April.

Plans for a 37 and 29-storey block on the site of the Ram Brewery in Wandsworth Town are also in progress.

Minerva will submit an application to Wandsworth Council around the same time the Clapham Junction plans are submitted.

Details of the development can be viewed at theheartofbattersea.co.uk Exhibition dates and times 2pm-8pm - Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 January 12pm-6pm - Friday 25 January 10am-2pm - Saturday 26 January.

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