Latest News about Battersea Power Station

The Observer newspaper reports today on the publication of "500 Places to See Before They Disappear" by Holly Hughes and Larry West, published by Frommers. The book is a gazetteer of places, natural and man made, under threat for various reasons form climate change to property speculation.

BPSCG was approached by Frommers in 2007 and supplied photographs of Battersea Power Station for inclusion in the book.

9th October 2008

Eagle over Battersea Power Station: artist's impression

8th October 2008

Vinoly's plans for the London skyline

The Times today has this profile about Rafael Vinoly, which includes a discussion of his masterplan for Battersea Power Station. The piece gives a further outing to cliches about the "problem" of developing Battersea Power Station and the alleged lack of public transport connections of the site, which is adjacent to several bus routes and close to two railway stations. Click here to read the piece.

22nd September 2008

Power Station credit crunch

BPSCG has issued a press release concerning REO's finances as revealed in their 2007 annual report. Click here to go to the press release.

11th September 2008

Battersea Power Station may house rebuilt Skylon

The Architects Journal reports today that Real Estate Opportunities is letting it be known that Battersea Power Station may become home to the rebuilt Skylon, when it happens. Skylon was designed by architects Powell & Moya for the Festival of Britain in 1951. It was subsequently demolished, but a campaign has grown in recent years for it to be rebuilt. Click here to read the article.

4th September 2008

Easy Offices blog reports on Pumping Station turnaround

The Easy Offices blog has today picked up on the Pumping Station story, reporting both Treasury's plans to demolish the Pumping Station, and our intention to keep it. Click here to read the piece. Click here and here for previous stories about Battersea on this site.

29th August 2008

REO reverses position on Pumping Station

Property Week today reports that REO/Treasury intend to press ahead with plans to demolish Battersea Water Pumping Station. This is despite assurances given by REO spokesman Tony Whitehead on 23rd August that the pumping station would be spared.

Property Week also reports today that the value of REO's property portfolio has fallen by £75m to £1.8 billion. The company will not be paying a dividend. Click here to read the report.

On a busy news day for Battersea Power Station, the Standard Magazine also has a piece on REO/Treasury owners John Ronan and Richard Barrett. The piece quotes our own Brian Barnes:

"The ideas these people have announced with such fanfare are designed to fail... What Ronan and Barrett really want is for the power station to fall into such disrepair that the only solution is to de-list it, knock it down and build thousands of flats without the inconvenience of a big building sitting in the middle of the site".

Another "industry insider" quoted in the piece says: "My view is that they will just sit on the site for years and years".

27th August 2008

New proposals for Battersea Power Station on You Tube

A clip of he new proposals for Battersea Power Station, by Rafael Vinoly Architects for Real Estate Opportunities, can be seen on You Tube. The clip shows the model currently on display to the public at REO's compound at Battersea Power Station.

REO's public relations man Tony Whitehead describes the the Power Station to a member of the public, saying: "it looks a really good solid brick building from a distance, but the nearer you get to it, its like a facade". Nevertheless, Tony Whitehead continues: "We will save what we can, and try and restore it".

Click here to see the clip on You Tube. The model can be seen this coming Saturday, 30th August, when Battersea Power Station itself will also be open to the public. See REO's web site for details.

23rd August 2008

Battersea Water Pumping Station to be spared - Official

REO spokesman Tony Whitehead today confirmed that the Grade II listed Battersea Water Pumping Station will not be demolished. Tony Whitehead was answering questions from members of the public at the exhibition of latest proposals by Treasury/REO. Asked by BPSCG member Keith Garner about the future of the pumping station, Tony Whitehead said: "We will not demolish any listed building on the site. We have to keep them".

The announcement by REO is welcome news, coming at the end of a 12 year campaign by BPSCG to see that the other listed building on the site is also preserved. The previous owners - land speculators Parkview - obtained listed building consent to demolish the pumping station in 1997, which was renewed in 2002. However the consent expired in 2007 and Tony Whitehead's announcement is can be taken as confirmation that the pumping station is now safe.

REO's model of their proposed redevelopment currently shows a new block of flats where Battersea Water Pumping Station is located. We look forward to seeing a revised and updated model, which included the pumping station, in the very near future.

17th July 2008

Exhibition opening extended... La Lutte Continue

1st July 2008

REO leaves the lights on

25th June 2008

Guess what? There are exciting plans for Battersea power station - and pigs can fly

20th June 2008

REO unveils new plans for Battersea Power Station

Rafael Vinoly, architect to Battersea Power Station's current owners Real Estate Opportunities, today unveiled new plans for the site at a press conference at Battersea Power Station. REO has issued this press release (pdf file).

The centerpiece of the proposal is a glass covered "ecodome" from which rises a 300m high glass tower. Battersea Power Station itself is dwarfed by the new tower and proposals for the grade II* listed building are less clear. The scheme also includes a proposal for an extension to the Northern Line from Kennington Station.

BPSCG has today given interviews to the BBC, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Guardian, The Times, Financial Times, and LBC News Radio, among others

The reception to the proposals has so far ranged from sceptical to outright hostile. The Guardian has published this piece by Rob Booth with pictures here. The Standard's Rob Cowan called the proposal: "A towering affront to common sense".

18th June 2008

Will famous chimneys be knocked down?

BPSCG member Keith Garner has had this letter published in the Wandsworth Borough News today, expressing concern about REO's proposals to demolish and rebuild the chimneys.

The letter points out that an independent engineering report published in 2005 showed that the chimneys can be repaired. So why is REO planning to go ahead with the demolition?

12th June 2008

MP David Davis's BPS connection

Another Tory is connected wth Battersea Power Station. A profile on the Telegraph web site today tells us that David Davis's father was a shop steward at Battersea Power Station. Click here to read the profile.

11th June 2008

Ghost of Maggie Power

The Borough News today reports on BPSCG's recent demonstration at Battersea Power Station to mark the 20th anniversary of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's visit to the building on 8th June 2008.

"This is a wonderful example of private enterprise and local government working hand in hand. John Broome and Wandsworth Council are to be congratulated" Margaret Thatcher June 8, 1988.

30th May 2008

BPSCG to stage demonstration at Power Station on 6th June

Battersea Power Station Community Group is staging a demonstration at the gates of the Battersea Power Station in Kirtling Street on Friday 6th June at 2:30pm to complain about the interminable delays. This is the anniversary of 20 years since PM Margaret Thatcher fired a laser gun to signal the start of the John Broome theme park which he claimed would be opened on May 21st 1990 at 2:30. He said "Don't be late or you will miss it". Now the current owners are talking about 10 to 15 years before it is finished. This is unbelievable when we see development going on all around the site. We are having look-a-like Thatcher and Broome to recreate the event of 20 years ago.

27th May 2008

The man who will wake t he monster

The Standard has today published a two page spread profiling Rob Tincknell, REO's man in charge of plans for the redevelopment of Batteresa Power Station. Click here to read the piece.

15th May 2008

Grand Designs: state of Battersea Power Station "a scandal"

The Power Station featured on Grand Designs today. The show was about conversions and started with Kevin McCloud standing in front of Battersea Power Station. He talked about the successful conversion of Bankside Power Station into Tate Modern and compared it to the still derelect Batteresa Power Station. He conculded by saying: "I call that a scandal".

30th December 2007

Johnny "The Buccaneer" Ronan

The blog Random Mostly Irish News has published this piece about Johnny Ronan of Treasury Holdings. It was first published just over a year ago, shortly after REO acquired Battersea Power Station. But it's interesting to read alongside the recent piece in Prospect Magazine.

22nd December 2007

Prospect Magazine: The New Irish Rich

The January 2008 edition of Prospect Magazine features an in-depth article on the "New Irish Rich", a class of businessmen who have made fortunes in recent years in areas such as finance, aviation and property development. The article contains this assessment of Treasury Holdings' co-founder Johnny Ronan:

Johnny Ronan, with his jet-black beard and long hair, is the industry's most dashing "high roller." The son of a wealthy Tipperary pig farmer, Ronan was privately educated, and after school trained as an accountant. There is a fund of stories about his exploits. After winning one bitter planning battle, he celebrated by flying 50 friends to Italy, where Luciano Pavarotti sang for them in the garden of his villa. A few years ago, he sent a voucher to his business rivals informing them that they had each had a Guatemalan pig named in their honour, as part of a fundraising effort by Trocaire, a Catholic charity. He is a keen huntsman and art collector, and owns a Humvee amphibious US army jeep as well as a €650,000 Maybach, described as "a Mercedes on steroids."

11th December 2007

The Pig Flies Again

The famous pink pig flew again over Battersea Power Station today. Last seen 31 years ago almost to the day, in almost identical bright blue weather conditions, today's pig was helping to promote the launch of The Simpsons Move in DVD. See this report in the Telegraph. BPSCG's own photos to follow shortly.

REO's "Community Forum" met at Battersea Power Station today as well, and BPSCG was there to distribute copies of the latest Battersea Bulletin. As on previous occasions under Parkview, the Forum was poorly attended. Among the attendees however was Borough Planner Robert Erskine, no doubt as curious as we are to know what's going on.

17th October 2007

BOOM! - Batman blows up Battersea

The Wandsworth Borough News today reports on last Thursday's explosion at Battersea Power Station, which is part of the new Batman film, Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale as the caped crusader and Michael Caine as loyal butler Alfred.

Reporter Paul Cahalan writes: "Frightened residents screamed holy cow and called fire crews after witnessing the massive explosion and 200ft fireball - thinking terrorists were blowing up the Wandsworth icon late on Thursday night".

BPSCG Chairman Brian Barnes is quoted saying: "We want a Battersea man to come and save the building, not Batman to come and blow is up... What kind of way is that to treat a Grade II* listed building - you wouldn't do it to a building elsewhere. There has been more money spent on making the place suitable to film than restoring it".

Further confirmation that Battersea Power Station has become a full-time film set is to be found on Wandsworth Council's web site, where the Council's film unit has Battersea Power Station as this month's "location of the month". The Council even lists the Battersea's particular qualities to help film companies decide if it the right location, which include: "derelict, blitz, faded grandeur, desolate,and abandoned". The page helpfully gives contact details of REO, for film companies looking to make a booking.

Also in the Borough News this week is this letter from BPSCG member Ernest Rodker, calling on Wandsworth Council, MP Matin Linton and Labour leader Tony Belton to take action in the light of the listing upgrade. Click here to read the letter.

12th October 2007

Battersea Power Station explosion

The London Paper has published a report on the controlled explosions at Battersea Power Station, which took place last night. Click here for details. Lots of flame and smoke. Definitely not the way to treat a Grade II* listed building!

11th October 2007

Filming at Battersea Power Station to involve explosions

Filming will be taking place shortly at Batteresa Power Station, involving controlled explosions. Concern has been expressed by local groups of potential harm to the Power Station. One BPSCG member witnessed a trial explosion carried out on the site on 21st September, causing a great deal of black smoke. The Battersea Society has taken the matter up with English Heritage.

In using the Power Station site as a film set, rather than a development site, REO appears to be following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Parkview. Surely this is not the way to treat a Grade II* listed building?

Details of the filming schedule are contained in this email from REO's Community Relations Manager Dick Tracey , which has been passed to BPSCG by a wellwisher.

5th October 2007

A star comes to the Power Station's aid

Building Design reports the upgrading of Battersea Power Station to Grade II*, anticipating that "revised listing status will open the door to English Heritage repair grants". Sadly the piece fails to mention that it was BPSCG who put put the building forward in the first place.

Also on the BD web site, Amanda Baillieu castigates English Heritage for failing to issue repairs notices and for agreeing to the replacement of the chimneys with replicas.

3rd October 2007

Battersea Power Station listing increased to Grade II*

The listing grade of Batteresa Power Station has been increased to Grade II* following a four year campaign by BPSCG. The Deparment of Culture contacted us today with the good news. BPSCG has issued a press release which can be seen by clicking here.

3rd August 2007

Chimneys to be repaired?

The Standard carries a report today by Mira Bar-Hillel which says that REO may repair the chimneys after all. REO has recently appointed Buro Happold as structural engineers. Readers will recall that it Buro Happold also worked for Parkview and who persuaded English Heritage that the chimneys were "beyond repair". Has Buro Happold changed its advice? Or is REO just raising false hopes only to dash them again later? When the chimneys have actually been repaired and the building is back in use, we will celebrate.

25th July 2007

The Stately Wrecks of England: EH launched 2007 Buildings at Risk Register at Battersea Power Station

An event was held at Battersea Power Station yesterday by English Heritage to mark the launch of English Heritage's 2007 Buildings at Risk Register. The Guardian has a piece today by Maev Kennedy about the event, noting that Battersea Power Station has been in the register since it was first launched 8 years ago. Click here to read the piece. Meanwhile...

"Future is Bright for power station's site", is the message of a story in the Wandsworth Borough News today, which says that "Remedial works have recently got underway to protect Turbine Hall A... The initial work will concentrate on making the building watertight and halting further deterioration". There also seems to be a review of whether the demolition of the chimneys will proceed or not. A spokeswoman for Treasury said: "We are still assessing whether to go with restoration or replacement". Click here to read the story.

9th July 2007

Battersea Power Station owners to raise £100m

The Times has published a piece today about a share issue by REO intended to raise £100m for the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station. Click here.

6th July 2007

John Patrick King

BPSCG has posted a web page about the Scottish barrister and former priest John Patrick King, last known as Director of the Doddington & Rollo Community Centre in Battersea London, in 1998. Click here.

29th June 2007

Lister: ‘No need to change power station brief’

Wandsworth Council's Leader, Edward Lister has dismissed a call from a Battersea resident to revise its 1983 development brief for the Battersea Power Station site, following the collapse of Victor Hwang's plan for the building. Dan Taylor, committee member of Ethelburga Tower Residents Association wrote to Councillor Lister to say: "This is a great opportunity to engage with the new owners (REO) and designers (Vinoly) to deliver a joined up approach to determining a future use for the site". In reply, Councillor Lister said: "There is no lack of planning policy. The brief's objectives included conservation of the power station and its setting, re-use of the building, improved accessibility, a hi gh level of employment, mixed uses to include leisure and local services, riverside walk, open space and public access."

How can Councillor Lister justify such inactivity in the face of the Council's failure to secure jobs, housing or economic regeneration in the 24 years since the brief was published? The Wandsworth Borough News wants to hear your views.

24th June 2007

THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

The Sunday Times Magazine has today published a major piece about Battersea Power Station by Tim Rayment. The piece looks at the history of the building and the failed redevelopment schemes by John Broome and Victor Hwang.

Broome himself contributed to the article, justifying leaving the building derelict and without a roof in 1989: “I relinquished myself of all big projects before the recession struck in all its intensity. To get out of it without being rolled into the bottom of a 10m-degree volcano was an almighty success, certainly equal to the success of carrying on to a successful scheme.”

The article also discusses the employment of Dick Tracey by Parkview and subsequently by new owners REO. Dick Tracey is married to Wandsworth Councillor Kathy Tracey, although as the piece acknowledges: "... there is no suggestion that she or her husband has acted improperly". BPSCG members June Hautot, Brian Barnes, and Keith Garner are also quoted in the piece

21st June 2007

ALAN JOHNSTON'S IMAGE PROJECTED ONTO POWER STATION

The picture of kidnapped BBC journalist, Alan Johnston, was projected onto the facade of Battersea Power Station yesterday. Johnston was kidnapped in Gaza on March 12th. The event took place this week to mark the 100th day of Alan Johnston's captivity.

Click here for coverage and image in the Daily Mail and here for coverage and image in The Scotsman. Click here for in-depth coverage in The Guardian.

20th May 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERNEST!

BPSCG founder member Ernest Rodker celebrated his 70th birthday today with family and friends at The Conway Hall in central London. After a curry dinner, guests were entertained by Ian Saville, the socialist magician, turning blue silk handkerchiefs into red, and converting £20 notes into Euros. We then had an eloquent speech from Ernest's son Joel, and the presentation of a book of tributes written by Ernest's friends, followed by three cheers and a round of applause for Ernest and Soni.

The walls of Conway Hall were decorated with posters from Ernest's many campaigns over fifty years, from Aldermaston and "Stop Polaris", through the "Stop the 70 Tour" up the more recent campaign to free Mordecai Vanunu. We all look forward to many more years of campaigning with Ernest for a better and more just world.

10th May 2007

GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO CHIMNEYS PETITION

The government has issued a disappointing response to the 600 people who signed the petition on the 10 Downing Street web site, calling on the government to intervene to prevent demolition of the chimneys.

The response makes no attempt to comment on the engineering report that showed that the chimneys can be repaired. The government also seems to be under the impression that the building is still owned by Parkview.

7th May 2007

NEW TRICKS

Battersea Power Station played a leading role in New Tricks on BBC1 this evening. Review and detailed explanation of the plot line to follow from Brian.

26th April 2007

JOURNEY PLANNER

24th April 2007

600 SIGN PETITION TO SAVE CHIMNEYS

The petition by Kaarina Miles posted on the No10 Downing St web site, calling on the Prime Minister to intervene to save the chimneys, closed today with a grand total of 600 signatures. The petition was open for six weeks. Signatories included actresses Susannah York and Miriam Margolyes and journalist Polly Toynbee. Click here to see the petition itself.

11th April 2007

BE OUR GUEST

The Wandsworth Borough News has today published an article by BPSCG member Keith Garner, in its "Be Our Guest" column, which outlines the proposal by the Battersea Power Station Company, to have the new Energy Technologies Institute located at Battersea Power Station.

Click here to read the article. Click here to learn more about our proposal for the Energy Technologies Institute.

5th April 2007

BACK TO SQUARE ONE FOR POWER STATION

The Wandsworth Borough News has published this article about the appointment of Raphael Viñoly as masterplanner for the Battersea Power Station site.

4th April 2007

REO APPOINTS VINOLY AS MASTERPLANNER

Real Estate Opportunities has appointed Raphael Viñoly as masterplanner for Battersea Power Station. In a statement Ray Horney, chairman of REO, said: “Viñoly is an internationally acclaimed architect who has proven time after time that he is capable of devising creative and responsive architectural solutions that maximise the potential of challenging sites. We believe that his future masterplan for Battersea will ultimately result in a successful development for local residents, for Londoners and visitors to London which will complement the Power Station building itself while preserving its iconic status.”

1st April 2007

SUNDAY TIMES: IRISH DUO SET TO MAKE A MINT IN LONDON

An article in the Sunday Times today by Ben Laurance, subtitled "two developers court controversy in Battersea", looks in detail at Johnny Ronan and Richard Barrett, the men behind Treasury Holdings. Click here to read the article.

28th March 2007

KEN LIVINGSTONE SUPPORTS BPSCG PROPOSAL FOR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES INSTITUTE

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, has given his backing to BPSCG's proposal that the Department for Trade and Industry's new Energy Technologies Institute to be sited at Battersea Power Station. The Mayor's support came in a written response to a question from Jenny Jones, leader of the Green Party at the GLA, and has been posted on the GLA web site.

22nd March 2007

IRISH BUYOUT REVIVES FEARS FOR AN ICON OF THE LONDON SKYLINE

The Guardian has today published a piece by David Leigh about the recent sale of Battersea Power Station by Parkview international to Real Estate Opportunities.

21st March 2007

MAYOR LIVINGSTONE QUESTIONED ABOUT BATTERSEA POWER STATION

Jenny Jones of the Green Party has tabled a question to Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, asking him whether he supports the proposal by BPSCG for the Department for Trade and Industry's new Energy Technologies Institute to be sited at Battersea Power Station.

The question has been posted on the GLA web site, but as of today's date has not been answered by the Mayor.

17th March 2007

CELEBRITIES SIGN PETITION TO SAVE CHIMNEYS

16th March 2007

ENGLISH HERITAGE PRESS RELEASE

English Heritage has today released this press release following their first meeting with Treasury Holdings yesterday:

English Heritage had a first meeting with Treasury Holdings, the new owners of Battersea Power Station, yesterday. At that meeting representatives of Treasury Holdings assured us of their commitment to repair, refurbish and bring the site back into beneficial use. They are currently in the process of appointing a new masterplanning team for the whole site and hope to start essential repair works to the grade II listed Power Station within the next two months. English Heritage stressed the need for these works to begin at the earliest opportunity. We now anticipate regular meetings with Treasury Holdings to ensure that any new scheme is implemented without delay.

Issued by English Heritage Corporate Communications, 16th March 2007

12th March 2007

BATTERSEA POWER STATION COMMUNITY FORUM: MEETING 13th MARCH 2007

We have received the agenda of the meeting of Battersea Power Station Community Forum, which takes place tomorrow at Battersea Power Station, at 6.00pm for a 6.30 pm start. Click here to read the agenda (pdf file).

We have also received the minutes of the last meeting on 5th December, which was attended by Victor and Vicky Hwang, in what was almost certainly their last ever visit to the building. Click here to read the minutes (pdf file).

BPSCG was previously banned from attending BPS Community Forum meetings on the instructions of Parkview International. However, following the departure of the Hwangs - and in a new spirit of cooperation and friendship - we have asked the Chair of the Forum, Mrs Ré Johnson, if we can attend tomorrow's and subsequent meetings.

2nd March 2007

REO MAKES 45 REDUNDANT AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION

Property Week reports today that Real Estate Opportunities, the new owners of Battersea Power Station, has made 45 people redundant including Parkview's former design director Steve Kennard. More to follow.

14th February 2007

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL? ERR, NOT YET

The Wandsworth Borough News reports today on the aftermath of the recent announcement by Real Estate Opportunities (REO) to scrap Parkview's masterplan for Battersea Power Station and to appoint a new design team.

The report quotes BPSCG member Keith Garner: "The Parkview scheme was rubbish. It's good that its being dropped. The question is what goes in its place. Nothing should happen until they fix the power station. They need to do the whole thing in small achievable phases, starting with the A station turbine hall. REO need to prove themselves".

The report goes on to point out that the change of plan may have come as a surprise to Wandsworth Council, who just a few months ago were predicting that the change of ownership from Parkview to REO would bring a start of site. As Councillor Lister said at the time: "We are now moving towards the construction phase".

Perhaps for this reason, Wandsworth Council is saying very little at the present time. Hilariously, given that the first planning permission for the redevelopment of the building was given 25 years ago, all a Council spokesman would say was "it's early days".

12th February 2007

E-PETITION TO SAVE CHIMNEYS

BPSCG supporter Kaarina Miles has posted a petition on the government's petitions web site, calling on the Prime Minister to: "prevent the proposed demolition of the chimneys of Battersea Power Station and to legally oblige the current owners to renovate the site, rather than sit on it and speculate as the previous owners did".

6th February 2007

CHANNEL 4 NEWS REPORT: APETHORPE HALL

Channel 4 News had a report this evening about the Grade 1 listed Apethorpe Hall in Northamptonshire. The Hall had been neglected by its offshore owners since 1982. It was compulsorily purchased in 2004 and £4m of public money is now being spent on a programme of repairs organised by English Heritage. The building will be sold on following completion of repairs, but the new owner must agree to public access.

There is further information about the works at Apethorpe Hall on English Heritage's web site. Click here. It's good to see EH doing the right thing (for a change).

2nd February 2007

BUILDING DESIGN: BATTERSEA PLANS DUMPED

Building Design reports today on the news that Treasury Holdings are set to dump Parkview's Arup-designed masterplan. Treasury has apparently refused to meet consultants who had worked for Parkview. English Heritage have also apparently requested a meeting from Treasury but have yet to hear from them. Treasury have apparently had meetings with new architects, but only after they have signed confidentiality agreements.

Commenting on Treasury's behaviour to date, the blog Rat and Mouse observes: Battersea Power Station's too important a London landmark for this kind of foolishness. Are Wandsworth Council and English Heritage really as powerless as they seem in the face of private sector muscle?

1st February 2007

REO CONFIRMS PARKVIEW SCHEME DROPPED

New owner of Battersea Power Station, Real Estate Opportunities, has today issued a press release confirming that they will be appointing a new masterplanner for Battersea Power Station. Rob Davies, Development Director for Treasury Holdings, REO’s development manager, is quoted as saying:

“REO has concluded that the current masterplan for the site does not fully respond to today’s market conditions, nor optimise the potential of the site. We recognize that there is a widespread desire and interest to see progress happen on this site as soon as possible. We fully support and endorse that viewpoint and we are moving forward rapidly.”

The press release also confirms that discussions with key stakeholders are planned and that no further announcements will be made until these discussions have taken place and the new masterplanner is appointed.

The press release is in stark contrast to statements made at the time of the sale by Councillors Lister and Belton of Wandsworth Council and by Victor Hwang of Parkview, that the role of REO would be to implement the Parkview scheme.

31st January 2007

WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW?

Parkview's former "Community Liaison Officer" Dick Tracey showed up at the Local Strategic Partnership meeting yesterday evening representing Clapham Junction Town Centre for the first time. His daughter is the Clapham Junction Town Centre manager and his wife, Councillor Kathy Tracey, is also on the LSP. Nepotism reigns!

Local people concerned at the apparent conflict of interest on the part of Councillor Tracey may be interested to look at the web site of the Standards Board for England, which aims to promote high ethical standards for people in public life and has a complaints procedure for dealing with alleged breaches of standards.

30th January 2007

PARKVIEW SCHEME DROPPED

Reports are coming in that the Parkview's scheme for the redevelopment of Batteresa Power Station has been dropped by new owners Real Estate Opportunities. More to follow.

13th January 2007

ARGUMENTS FOR A LAND TAX

The Blogger "Politahoic" discusses Ashley Seager's piece in last Monday's Economics Guardian which referred to the recent sale of Battersea Power Station. To read the blog, click here and scroll down to the entry entitled "Arguments for a Land Tax, dated Saturday 13th January 2007. Perhaps Gordon Brown should impose a one-off windfall tax on the recent sale?

8th January 2007

A LAND TAX IS 200 YEARS OVERDUE

Writing in The Guardian today, Ashley Seager considers the advantages of a land tax. Referring to the recent sale of Battersea Power Station he says: "It was sold last year for £400 million by a developer who bought it for £10 million in 1993. A yearly tax on its value would have focused owners’ minds on making better use of it”. Click here to read the full article.

13th December 2006

BATTERSEA POWER STATION SALE IS A 'SCANDAL'

BPSCG member Keith Garner has had this letter published in the Wandsworth Borough News, writing in response to news of the sale of the building by the Hwang family for £400m.

10th December 2006

POWER STATION IS FOCUS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE PROTEST

Battersea Power Station became the focus for an intelligent global warming protest statement on November 1st, highlighting the threat of climate change relative to terrorism. Click here to read more and to see the video of the event.

8th December 2006

PRIVATE EYE No1173

It comes as no surprise that the Hong Kong-based owners of Battersea power station have suddenly sold the site to another developer for some £400m - 40 times what they paid for it 13 years ago.

As long ago as 1997 Eye 922 cast doubt on whether Parkview International and its president Victor Hwang ever had any intention of restoring the redundant and culpably neglected site, but English Heritage and Wandsworth council chose to believe them.

No doubt they will now ensure that the new Irish owners actually do something - and perhaps question whether the famous chimneys really must be replaced by replicas.

5th December 2006

SECURITY GUARDS LASH OUT AT PARKVIEW'S SWAN SONG

Police were called to the Parkview compound in Kirtling St this evening after Parkview security guards launched an unprovoked attack on BPSCG members Brian Barnes and Ernest Rodker. The BPSCG members had been attempting to join what appears to be the final meeting of Parkview's Battersea Power Station Community Forum, which was addressed by Victor Hwang, to find out why Parkview had reneged on its promise to repair the listed building and redevelop the site, walking away instead with a £200m plus profit.

Without any warning, the guards grabbed Brian and Ernest as they walked through the gates into the compound. Brian was bundled back through the gate, sustaining a bruise on his arm. Ernest was held by Parkview staff within the compound until Brian called the Police.

The guards loutish behaviour seems to be because they are unhappy about being made redundant. Fortunately they will not have far to go to find new jobs. One of Parkview's few contributions to the area in 15 years was to pay for the redecoration of the Job Shop in the Cable and Wireless Building at the end of Kirtling Street.

Also redundant is Mrs Ré Johnson, Chair of the Battersea Power Station Community Forum, who declined to answer BPSCG questions when she arrived at the meeting.

At the end of the evening Victor and Vicky Hwang were driven away, taking their £200m plus profit with them. Will we ever see them in Battersea again? We hope not.

4th December 2006

WORLD MONUMENTS FUND ISSUES PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWING SALE OF POWER STATION

The Director of the World Monuments Fund in Britain, Colin Amery, has issued this press release, following the news that Parkview has sold Battersea Power Station for £400million:

The re-sale of Battersea Power Station changes the situation from dire to even worse - exposing the real intentions of Parkview whose plans for the Power Station itself have always lacked credibility, as we suspected. The Grade II listed building by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott is not just a magnificent London icon but of international significance as a landmark of 20th century architecture. It was easy for Parkview to make all the right noises to gain a planning permission that has enormously enhanced the value of the site. The new owners have no new ideas for the site - they should be aware that any further long delay will endanger the power station to a state where it can no longer be saved. World Monuments Fund in Britain deplores Parkview's cynical use of the site simply as a lever to produce cash and calls on London's planners to insist on revisions to the scheme including enhanced infrastructure to encourages new uses for the power station - perhaps the greatest indoor sports centre for the Olympics and the future use of the local population. World Monuments Fund placed Battersea Power Station on its Watch List of the world's 100 Most Endangered Sites in 2004 with good reason. Battersea Power Station is an icon not an albatross - Londoners love it and its recent opening as an arts venue revealed its glorious scale and great architecture - qualities to be valued not destroyed.

The World Monuments Fund included Battersea Power Station on its List of the World's 100 Most Endangered Monuments in 2004, following an application by BPSCG supported by Lord Dubs.

2nd December 2006

IN PRAISE OF... BATTERSEA POWER STATION

The Guardian has today included a piece "In Praise of Battersea Power Station". You can add your own comments in praise of the building by clicking here.

30th November 2006

PRESS RELEASE

BPSCG has issued this press release, following the sale of Battersea Power Station to Treasury Group, announced earlier today.

BATTERSEA POWER STATION SOLD TO IRISH COMPANY REO

Irish public radio RTE has confirmed that Battersea Power Station has been sold for 595m Euros, approximately £400m. The new owner is Real Estate Opportunities. The Irish company, Treasury Holdings, has a 60% stake in Real Estate Opportunities.

REO development director Rob Davies, interviewed on Irish Radio RTE this morning, denied that the project had been disaster upto now, and said that delays during the ownership of the previous owner, Parkview, were due to the complexities of the project.

BPSCG member Keith Garner, also interviewed, said that the Parkview had in fact deliberately allowed the building to get into a very bad state. He hoped that the new owner would take a different approach and make an immediate start to the repairs, rather than continue Parkview's policy of neglect.

Rob Davies denied his company was a land speculator, but said that REO would be taking a long term approach to the project.

Parkvew International will pay off the £150m loaned to them by the banks and will walk away with £250 in profits, having done nothing for the area in 15 years. Parkview has issued this smug press release.

24th November 2006

NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS FURTHER DELAYS

The New York Times business section has today published an article about the recent changes at Battersea Power Station, and the role now being played in the project by Vicky Hwang, who took over as Head of Leasing this summer.

The article also reports further delays and questions over Parkview's ability to finance the project. Victor Hwang is reported as saying: "The project should be finished by the 2012 Olympics". This is a further two years delay on the previous completion date of 2010 given by Parkview's Ian Rumgay, which was itself ten years later than the original opening date of 2000 promised to Alf Dubs in 1995. The article also reports that the Hong Kong Parkview Group is made a loss of 22.6 million Hong Kong dollars in the year to 31st March.

BPSCG's Brian Barnes is reported as saying: "We’re looking to the next stage, when another speculator gets a hold of it”, adding: "The Hwang family says they've spent £200 million, but you can’t see where that’s been spent”.

22nd November 2006

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE POWER STATION BY STUART HOLMES

Stuart Holmes has sent BPSCG some photographs of Battersea Power Station, taken in the early 1980's. The photographs show parts of the building that are no longer there, having been demolished by John Broome or the Hwang family. Click here to see the photographs. The photographs of the building 25 years ago contrast markedly with the recent images of dereliction seen at the China Power Station exhibition.

15th November 2006

BPSCG ARE "HEROES OF THE WEEK" - TIME OUT

13th November 2006

BATTERSEA POWER STATION SHIRTS FROM YOU ON EARTH

BPSCG is pleased to announce the addition of a range of Battersea Power Station shirts to our range of merchandise. The shirts from You On Earth feature an image of the Power Station designed by Paul Agar.

10th November 2006

NOW THE CONTROL ROOM CEILING IS "BEYOND REPAIR"

AJ ONLINE: PARKVIEW WINS GREEN LIGHT TO DEVELOP AROUND BATTERSEA POWER STATION

The future of Battersea Power Station has taken another twist after the developer was given the go-ahead to secure the Grade II-listed building and develop on the adjacent site.

Wandsworth Council agreed to Parkview International’s plans, as well as the amendment to the Section 106 agreement, which defined how ‘complete’ renovations needed to be on the power station before work could continue elsewhere on the site (AJ 26.10.06).

The decision will come as a blow to local campaigner the Battersea Power Station Community Group, which is opposing Parkview’s proposals, but the organisation still believes little change will occur on the site.

Keith Garner, director of the campaign group, said: ‘The meeting is not particularly significant, as we don’t expect much to change. Parkview is saying all this on the surface, but I doubt much will actually be done to the building.

‘All they want to do is build around it, with the hope of getting rid of the power station down the line.

‘[Parkview] has a history of just pulling things down. They are now saying the ceiling in the A Control Room is “beyond repair”. These people have only ever destroyed things,’ he added.

Contrastingly, the decision will be a major boost to Parkview, who will now get on with the job of fitting a new roof on the iconic building, as well as new floors and a new west wall.

Leslie McDonnell, of Wandsworth Council, said: ‘Parkview now have the consents they need to get on with the job of restoring this famous building.

‘They have told us they will be ready to start the work in earnest in the New Year – we expect them to keep to this.’

11th November 2006

ESTATES GAZETTE: TALKS FOUNDER OVER PRICE - PARKVIEW WANT £600m

As revealed here first on 6th November, Treasury Holdings appear to have walked out of discussions with Parkview. The Estates Gazette confirms today that discussions have broken down over the price. Talks with Ballymore Properties have also broken down: "because Ballymore's valuation of the site at £300-400m was substantially lower than Parkview's, thought to be £600m".

9th November 2006

POWER STATION'S FUTURE IS BEST SERVED BY TRUST

BPSCG member Keith Garner has had this letter published in The Architects' Journal today. The letter calls for a public interest trust, such as the Battersea Power Station Company, to be given a greater role in the conservation of the building.

7th November 2006

INDPEPENDENT: PARKVIEW'S PLANS ARE "UTTER MOONSHINE"

John Walsh in The Independent today writes about his visit to the "China Power Station" exhibition before it closed this weekend. The exhibition itself he thought was "dull", but he was ever more underwhelmed by Parkview's computer graphics of their proposed scheme. For John Walsh, the plans are: "utter moonshine". He goes on: "It's all been dreamland. Mr Hwang has apparently raised £150m from City investors.. and spent it on the ruined building, but it's hard to see where."

He concludes: "Will Parkview's prosaic and money grabbing new plans be accepted? Probably. The company is lucky to have a skilled 'planning consultant' to argue their case. He is Ian Thompson and until January 2004 he was Wandsworth Council's own borough planner. He went to work for Parkview two months later for a rumoured salary of £75,000. Those of us who grew up in sight of the old industrial cathedral, and who want to see it lovingly and properly restored, will be watching with interest".

6th November 2006

NEWSFLASH: TREASURY PULLS OUT

BPSCG has heard that Treasury Holdings has pulled out of negotiations with Parkview to take a controlling interest in the project. This latest development leaves Victor Hwang's project in still further disarray. The Irish property group is the latest in a long line of prospective development partners who have failed to tie the knot with the reclusive Chinese millionaire. More to follow.

5th November 2006

BANNER PROTEST AT POWER STATION

BPSCG members today unfurled a banner at Battersea Power Station, the last day of the "China Power Station" exhibition. The banner was unfurled as a protest against Parkview's appalling neglect of the listed building. Click here to read more.

2nd November 2006

THE BELLY OF BATTERSEA

A video of the current "China Power Station" exhibition has been put online by thelondonpaper.

The video is a further illustration of the destruction visited upon Battersea Power Station by the Hwang family since 1993. Click here to see the video.

27th October 2006

WHAT THE CHINESE DO TO A POWER STATION

BPSCG members today visited the "China Power Station" exhibition at Battersea Power Station, organised by the Serpentine Gallery. The visit confirmed our worst fears about the condition of Battersea Power Station, and the shocking extent of Parkview's neglect of the listed building.

Click here for a full report. Click here, here, here and here to see photos of the dilapidated state of the building revlealed by the visit

26th October 2006

BATTERSEAD AND BRUISED

23rd October 2006

AJ Online: Developer wants new planning agreement for Battersea

The developer behind plans to turn Battersea Power Station into an upmarket leisure, shopping and housing facility, wants to vary the Section 106 (s106) planning agreement already in place for the scheme, according to a local pressure group.

Details of Parkview International’s desired amendments to the s106 agreement, which states that the power station must be redeveloped in its entirety before anything else can be developed, remain unclear.

Brian Barnes, chairman of residents’ organisation the Battersea Power Station Community Group, claimed: ‘Parkview would like to start development on a residential scheme in part of a 6ha site attached to the power station, however, but has so far been refused.

‘It is now questioning what is meant by “in its entirety”, and whether it can simply put a roof on it, and leave it as a shell that is watertight.’

But Parkview is absolutely refuting this statement, saying instead that it would get the building ready for tenant fit-out, which would include the installation of new floors as well as a provision of a roof over the turbine hall.

‘[Parkview] was suggesting hotels, and shopping malls with fountains,’ said Barnes. ‘But since it has engaged in talks with Irish firm Treasury Holdings, it is happy just to get the site into shape, and start residential projects, which would be more attractive to Treasury.'

Barnes added: ‘Treasury is not interested in hotels and shopping malls, it just wants to turn the whole site into luxury apartments like the rest of Wandsworth riverside, and Parkview realises that.’

17th October 2006

LOST SCULPTURE BY IAN WALTERS LOCATED BY BPSCG

14th October 2006

RAMPORT STUDIOS, BATTERSEA

BPSCG has posted a page about Ramport Studios, Thessaly Road. The studios were owned by The Who, and were the venue for a number of important recording sessions in the 1970's, including the making of The Who's Quadrophenia album in 1973. Although the studios are long closed, the building is probably worthy of a Blue Plaque. Click here to go to the page.

9th October 2006

BATTERSEA FUTURE IN DOUBT - "HWANG SHOULD GET OFF THE SITE"

An article by Mira Bar-Hilel in The Standard today also reports that Parkview has applied to start building houses and offices adjacent to the site before the refurbishment of the listed Power Station.

BPSCG's Keith Garner, quoted in the article said: "Hwang should get off the site, because he is clearly not serious about doing the work to the power station".

8th October 2006

BATTERSEA POWER STATION COMPLEX IS SHELVED

An article by Robert Booth in The Sunday Times today reports today that Victor Hwang's plan to transform Battersea Power Station into a leisure complex has been abandoned in favour of a housing scheme.

The article reports that Hwang is attempting to go ahead with apartments and offices on the adjoining site. However the proposal for Battersea Power Station itself is simply to secure the "shell and core" of the building. Plans for a leisure centre, due to have been completed in 2000, have finally been abandoned.

The article also reports that the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has promised to investigate "conflict of interest" claims about former Borough Planner Ian Thompson, now Parkview's planning consultant. The article reports that Thompson went to work for Parkview "... on a part-time basis, for a reported salary of about £75,000 a year".

4th October 2006

THE DOOR CONTINUES TO REVOLVE

Stephen Hurles who was a Wandsworth council officer in Technical Services, expert in planning applications and licensing, retired in mid 2005 and went directly to Parkview as a consultant ensuring that their planning variations forms are correctly filled out.

As we previously reported, former Borough Planner Ian Thompson went to work for Parkview on his retirement in 2004, having recommended granting all planning applications made by Parkview since they took control of the Battersea Power Station site in 1993.

Also in the news, BPSCG Chairman Brian Barnes has had a letter pubished in this week's Wandsworth Borough News. Click here to read the letter.

3rd October 2006

BPSCG WINS AWARD FOR SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF WEB SITE

Battersea Power Station Community Group is to be given an award by Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network (WCEN). The award is for the successful launch of the web site of the Battersea Power Station Company www.batterseapowerstation.com , a registered charity established by members of BPSCG. The design of the web site was funded by a Community Chest grant from WCEN.

A certificate will be presented to the Company’s directors at a ceremony to take place before the AGM of WCEN at 5.00pm at Battersea Arts Centre (Lower Hall) on Friday 6th October. Click here for a map.

27th September 2006

WE LOVE PARKVIEW'S INFORMATION MINISTER


Parkview's Ian Rumgay	The Iraqi Information Minister

We have noticed a striking physical resemblance between Ian Rumgay, Parkview's Director of Communications and Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf, Iraqi Information Minister at the time of the 2003 Gulf War.

The Iraqi Information Minister was famous in 2003 for his press briefings denying the truth of the American invasion in Iraq. If recent press reports turn out to be true, Rumgay's statements in recent weeks have been as detached from reality as those of the IIM.

Rumgay has yet to issue a response to the reports in the Estates Gazette of 23rd September, stating that Treasury Holdings is poised to take over Parkview's development.

23rd September 2006

TREASURY PUTS IN BID FOR BATTERSEA

The Estates Gazette has revealed today that Treasury Holdings, the Irish property group, has put in a bid to take over Parkview's project at Battersea. This report is as yet unconfirmed but appears to be credible.

The directors of Treasury Holdings John Ronan and Richard Barrett were previously involved in a bid to take over the Millennium Dome in London, via a company called Legacy Holdings.

Property Week had previously reported (Latest News 4th August) that Merchant Bridge, a middle eastern developer, was in discussions with Parkview. However it seems that Merchant Bridge has now lost interest.

22nd September 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEO

Birthday greetings to Leo ("Hwang-ker") Hwang. The tearaway son of Victor Hwang is celebrating the occasion with a lavish party to be held at Battersea Power Station tonight. Is ths how the Hwang family goes about spending the £150m lent to it by the Bank of Scotland and Barclays?

Shouldn't this money in fact be spent on repairing the roof of the Power Station instead?

21st September 2006

POWER HOUSE - TIME TO RECLAIM WHAT'S OURS

Time Out has today published a sceptical piece about Parkview's Power Station development, by Jessica Cargill Thompson. The article calls for greater public access to the site concluding: "... it's a scandal that such an important landmark has been out of bounds for so long. Battersea Power Station is not an international property speculator's plaything, it's an important part of London history, and a vast tract of the city centre riverside land that should be open to all. It's time to reclaim what's ours".

Click here to read the full article.

20th September 2006

25 YEARS SINCE FIRST PERMISSION TO REDEVELOP POWER STATION - PARKVIEW'S CLAIMS TO HAVE SPENT £200 MILLION "UTTERLY RIDICULOUS"

The Wandworth Borough News reports today that this month marks the 25th anniversary of the first planning permission to redevelop the Power Station. Outline planning permission was given to SAVE Britain's Heritage in September 1981 to turn the Power Station into sports and entertainment complex.

BPSCG's Keith Garner, quoted by the Borough News, describes the SAVE plan as: "very forward looking and bold for the time" adding: "it is shocking that it was so long ago".

Parkview's Ian Rumgay, also quoted in the article, repeats the claim that £200m has been spent on the project since Parkview took over in 1993, referring to relocation of gas mains and boiler house, and the recent completion of a new jetty on the river in support of this assertion.

However the article goes on to report BPSCG scepticism about these claims. Keith Garner said in response:

"What have they spent £200 million on? That is utterly ridiculous. Those works are all peripheral to the scheme and all relate to other agencies. Why don't they actually do something with the power station and get it into use? How many years do they need? It doesn't take 13."

19th September 2006

DOES ANYBODY HERE REMEMBER VERA LYNN?

The Pump House Gallery has invited German artist Thomas Kilpper to develop a new project in and outside the gallery. This will include the transformation of the gallery's outside space into an allotment that will grow organic vegetables, a giant pig sculpture made from trees cut down in Battersea Park and a new sound track fusing Pink Floyd with popular 1940s war time songs.

Kilpper's projects often respond to the socio-political context of a location, playfully weaving local histories and current global issues with his own personal political opinions. For this project he has taken a keen interest in the rich and complex history of Battersea Park and its surrounding environment. In particular he has looked at how the urban parkland was transformed into allotments and a pig farm during World War II, as well as the story behind the making of Pink Floyd's seminal album cover for "Animals", which involved a 30ft long inflatable pig floating over the Battersea Power Station.

Making reference to the wartime use of the park, an allotment has been created by the artist in collaboration with young people from Wandsworth Youth Offending Team. these young people are also involved in the gardening and maintenance of the plot - growing carrot, potatoes, cabbages, courgettes and pumpkins from seed.

During the exhibition the ground floor of the gallery will become a kitchen and dining area where food from the harvest will be prepared and served to visitors.

Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park, 29th September to 29th October 2006. Exhibition open 11am - 4pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) Admission FREE

5th September 2006

VICTOR HWANG IN FRACAS WITH BPSCG AT POWER STATION

A leafleting session at Battersea Power Station ended in disarray this evening after the notoriously publicity shy Victor Hwang attempted to prevent a BPSCG member taking his photograph.

BPSCG members had been handing out leaflets to people attending the meeting of Parkview's "Community Forum". Victor was leaving the site at the same time in a chauffer driven car and wound the window down to present BPSCG members with Parkview's latest publicity material.

At this point BPSCG member June Hautot attempted to take Victor's picture. However Victor snatched the camera , and June sustained a graze on her forearm attempting to retrieve it. The camera was eventually thrown from the vehicle by Victor himself. The car left the scene with Victor holding papers up to the car window to deter futher snappers.

Photos of the incident will appear here shortly, assuming the camera is undamaged.

4th September 2006

BRITAIN IS 'AS CORRUPT AS WORST AFRICAN STATES'

The Guardian makes this claim today in a piece about about the failure of the UK government to clamp down on the use of offshore tax havens by companies operating in this country. Click here to read the article.

An investigation by The Guardian in 2002 found that the Parkview group has hundreds of offshore companies registered in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Battersea Power Station itself is owned by Halcyon Estates Ltd, registered in the British Virgin Islands.

31st August 2006

THE TATE WE'RE IN

Today it is the turn of Astragal in The Architects' Journal to pour scorn on Parkview's plans:

So according to the London Evening Standard last week, Serpentine Gallery bigwigs such as Julia Peyton-Jones are in talks with the Hwang family developers over the possibility of transforming a wing of Battersea Power Station into an art gallery. The inventiveness of the property industry at its very best - you can just imagine it can't you? There they all are, sitting around a boardroom table, and someone pipes up with: 'I've got an idea. We've got ourselves a wrecked old power station on the Thames that we've got to do something cultural with. Why don't we turn it into an art gallery!'. I must be honest, I think I've heard that one before. First the Guggenheim Effect, now let's have a bit of Tate Modern Effect instead.

30th August 2006

PARKVIEW REMOVES BALLYMORE PRESS RELEASE

Parkview has removed its press release concerning Ballymore's renewed interest in the development, posted on its web site on 22nd August. Readers seeking entertainment may still see it by clicking here.

28th August 2006

BETJEMAN AND BATTERSEA

Battersea Power Station featured in the film documentary “Betjeman and Me” by Dan Cruickshank, which was screened by the BBC this evening. Sir John Betjeman, the Poet Laureate and campaigner for the preservation of historic buildings, was born 100 years ago today.

The film looked at John Betjeman’s interest in architecture since his days on the Architectural Review in the 1930’s, when he championed the International Style, to his campaigns in the ‘sixties and ‘seventies to save historic areas and buildings from demolition, including Spitalfields, Bedford Park and Covent Garden.

There was a section about the current situation at Battersea, which Betjeman helped to get listed in 1980. Dan regards Battersea as “a sublime structure that defines London ”, but was horrified to discover that Wandsworth Council, with the support of English Heritage, had given permission to the owners, Parkview, to demolish the chimneys. The architectural historian Gavin Stamp, who also appeared in the film, expressed scepticism that the chimneys would be rebuilt.

For Dan Cruickshank , the loss of Battersea Power Station would result in“community identity and pride being fatally undermined”. As he observed: “If Betjeman were alive today, he would be deeply saddened by what is happening to Battersea Power Station and the conservation movement in general." But there is still reason for optimism as Dan concluded: "We have his example to inspire us” and campaigners can still make a difference.

BPSCG collaborated with the production team at Oxford Film and Television for the section of the film about Battersea, advising on filming locations and supplying background information. Parkview refused the production team access to the Power Station and declined to be interviewed.

Happy Birthday Sir John, from BPSCG

24th August 2006

POWER STATION PLANS UNDER FIRE

The Battersea & Clapham Guardian today reports that the Health & Safety Executive has objected to Parkview's latest planning application. The HSE is concerned about the proximity of the development to a gas holder on Prince of Wales Drive. In a letter to Wandsworth Council, the HSE said: "HSE's advice is that there are sufficient reasons, on safety grounds, for advising against the granting of planning permission".

BPSCG member Keith Garner is reported as saying that the news from the HSE could spell the end for the proposed development: "It seems to all be falling apart".

22nd August 2006

BALLYMORE RETURNS TO UPSIDE-DOWN TABLE

Parkview has issued a hilarious press release complaining about the accuracy of an article in the Estates Gazette of 19th August, which says that Ballymore properties is still seeking to take control of the Battersea project. The EG article says: "Any offer from Ballymore is expected to involve the Docklands developer taking overall control of the project".

In response, Parkview's press release of 22nd August states: "This latest report in Estate Gazette is one of several “news” stories and editorials in the trade publication this summer which have been at best misguided but mostly based on inaccurate rumour, conjecture, journalist’s creating their own version of events and snide comment".

The Estates Gazette article had also reported that Parkview's letting agent, Donaldsons, has resigned after five years on the project because of "uncertainty". Caroline Wilson of Donaldsons told EG: "We cannot commit any further resources to the project at this time". As of today's date, Donalsons name still appears on Parkview's web site as a member of their team. (It was finally removed on 31st August - Ed.)

21st August 2006

VICTOR HWANG AT No 234 IN TIMES RICH LIST

Vicsor Hwang appears on the 2006 Times "Rich List" at No174, worth an estimated £350 million. Victor is up from No234 last year, when he was worth a modest £200 million. The Murdoch paper reports that Hwang has spent £200m on Battersea Power Station, although readers will be aware that no money has been spent on the repair of the listed buildng in the 13 years of Hwang family control.

The Rich List is described as Britain's 100 richest individuals, raising the question of whether Victor is actually domiciled in UK and paying tax here. Click here to read the full listing.

15th August 2006

AN EXHIBITION OF DECADENT ART

The Times has an article today by Tim Teeman about a forthcoming exhibition of Chinese art to be staged at Battersea Power Station. The Serpentine Gallery will be mounting an exhibition of "... contemporary Chinese video, sound and installation art".

It seems that that the dereliction visited on Battersea Power Station by the Hwang family over the past thirteen years is the perfect foil for an exhibition of contemporary art. As Teeman says: "The concrete columns supporting the structure are eroded... some windows retain their panes, others are blown out, the criss-crossing of iron girders is hypnotic. You feel Lilliputian amid the wrecked architecture".

Serpentine director, Julia Peyton-Jones also remarks on the building's parlous state. Pointing to the pigeon droppings on the girders she says: "It's not really a place where you could put paintings".

Victor Hwang previously bought Toyo Ito's Serpentine pavilion of 2002, which was reassembled at Battersea Power Station and is now used to display Parkview's alleged development proposals.

Click here to read the full Times article.

12th August 2006

BATTERSEA TURMOIL: TAKING THE LISA

The Estates Gazette news page reports today that Lisa Welch, Parkview's "head of design management for tenants", has left the project as well. The EG also reports concerns of the Health & Safety Executive concerning the proximity of the gasometer to Parkview's development: "The risk of harm to people at the proposed development is such that there are sufficient reasons, on safety grounds, for advising against the granting of planning permission".

Also in Estates Gazette this week, "EG Eye" mocks Parkview's press announcement about Battersea Park Station, commenting: "Its a shame they will find nothing to visit". BPSCG's "Taking the Michael" leafleting campaign at the recent chimneys demonstration is also mentioned.

7th August 2006

IAN WALTERS 1930-2006

The sculptor Ian Walters has died. Despite his recent illness, Ian attended the chimneys demonstration on 26th June. BPSCG Chairman Brian Barnes has written this appreciation of Ian's life and work. The Guardian has this obituary by Tony Benn.

5th August 2006

MEET MY SON, YOUR NEW CEO

An article in Slate magazine casts doubt on the wisdom of appointing family members to top positions in firms. The article reports a Danish study of how firms underperform when the CEO appoints his relatives to top posts. Click here to read the article. Victor Hwang take note.

4th August 2006

NEW BACKER TOUTED FOR BATTERSEA

An article in Property Week today reveals that Parkview is now in discussion with Merchant Bridge, described by the company web site as: "... one of the leading corporate finance advisory house[s] in the Middle East". The company has offices in London, Riyadh, Bahrain, UAE and Baghdad.

Merchant Bridge is the last in a long line of potential backers for the project going back over a 10 year period, the most recent being Ballymore Properties who pulled out in March.

Merchant Bridge should be mindful of the fact that Victor Hwang's project for Battersea does not have an Environmental Impact Assessment and could be halted in the European Court. His planning permissions are about to expire and the Greater London Authority in particular is showing an interest in preventing his latest attempt to extend the permissions. The listed building has a backlog of repairs from 1993 and although English Heritage has so far turned a blind eye, it cannot be assumed this will continue.

1st August 2006

BATTERSEA TURMOIL: TAKING THE MICHAELS

The Standard has today published a further piece on the pandemonium at Parkview. In a piece written very much from Victor Hwang's perspective, the sacking of Michaels Roberts and Russell is said to be because they were planning a buy-out of Victor's Battersea venture and were fired when Victor found out.

Although entertaining, the piece fails to ask the more profound questions as to how Parkview could have failed to make any progress at all after 13 years in control of the site.

Instead, Parkview are portrayed being committed to rescuing the Power Station, when in fact they have systematically hostile towards the building, neglecting it since taking over in 1993.

The promotion of Hwang family members also raised the question as to whether it was Leo Hwang who was involved in the incident outside Parkview's offices on 28th July 2005, when a Mercedes driven at speed into the Parkview compound by a person of Chinese appearance narrowly missed BPSCG member June Hautot.

31st July 2006

BATTERSEA TURMOIL: FURTHER DETAILS

Parkview International has today confirmed the loss of its top executives. An article posted on the Property Week web site has full details and information on new appointments, including the announcement that Victor Hwang's son Leo will become vice president and his daughter Vicky will become leasing director. What will the banks make of this?

Further details of the implosion of Victor Hwang's scheme for Battersea Power Station have appeared in recent editions of Property Week.

This article on 28th July 2006, gives details of staff who have walked out. This followed an article on 21st July 2006, concerning the whereabouts of chief executive Michael Roberts.

Of particular interest is this article of 13th July 2006, about the site of the Guinness Brewery at Park Royal, which has just been sold for £48m after the owners Diageo secured immunity from listing for another of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's great industrial buildings.

28th July 2006

BATTERSEA VENTURE HITS NEW TURMOIL AS HURRICANE VICKY STRIKES

Today's Standard reports on the continuing implosion of Victor Hwang's scheme for Battersea Power Station. Readers of a nervous disposition may not wish to read the following extract:

"Chief executive Michael Roberts has gone on extended leave in the Middle East and is not expected to return. Chief financial officer Michael Russell has also left, according to Property Week magazine. They are said to have had a row with Hwang's daughter Vicky, an unknown quantity who was installed as commercial director after Mike Swinney left last month. The plans are now in deadlock as Parkview's banks, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays, refuse to offer more debt unless more tenants are signed up on binding agreements."

11th July 2006

Shine on You Crazy Diamond

Syd Barrett, 6th January 1946 to 7th July 2006. David Gilmore and Roger Walters wrote "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" as a respectful homage to their former collegue as part of the Album "Wish You Were Here" a title surely also signifying that they were missing their friend. Indeed, legend has it, that Syd did actually turn up at the recording studio, in 1975, and listened in on the playing of Wish You Were Here, unrecognised by the others, a portly bald man very unlike the tousled-haired, slim, young man of earlier days, only later did they realise it had been Syd watching from the shadows.

Remember when you were young you shone like the Sun.

5th July 2006

PARKVIEW'S FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES DISMISSED AS "RUBBISH"

Rumours that Parkview's project at Battersea Power Station is in financial difficulty received further support today when they were officially denied by Parkview's Ian Rumgay.

Speaking to the Battersea Guardian, in response to a piece in the Estates Gazette two weeks ago, Rumgay said: "The headline about our banks, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays, particularly angered me. They have always been, and continue to be, highly supportive of our project".

Reports that Parkview might be selling Battersea Power Station were also dismissed: " We would consider a minority shareholder of perhaps as much as 20 per cent, but beyond that we are not selling. Parkview is going to be here for a very long time".

Famous last words? Watch this space.

30th June 2006

BATTERSEA POWER STATION UP FOR SALE?

Following the article in the Estates Gazette on 24th June, rumours are ciculating that Parkview has put Battersea Power Station up for sale owing to cashflow problems.

28th June 2006

PIGS FLY IN TO SAVE CHIMNEYS

The Wandsworth Borough News has published a comprehensive article today on the Power Protest. Sarah Hall's piece is her last for the Borough News and we wish her well in Fleet Street!

26th June 2006

POWER PROTEST

Pigs fly as demonstrators braved the weather to protest against the proposed demolition of Battersea's iconic chimneys. Meanwhile, Parkview announces further delays whilst key players of their development team quit the project.

Click here for a full report.

24th June 2006

BATTERSEA HANGS IN THE BALANCE

The Estates Gazette reports today that Parkview's bankers, Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays, have become "increasingly frustrated" over Parkview's failure to find a development partner and are said to be "losing patience with the Taiwanese tycoon". The article also reports that Parkview's leasing director, Mike Swinney, has left the project.

13th June 2006

BPSCG LEAFLETS PARKVIEW COMMUNITY FORUM MEETING

BPSCG members this evening handed out leaflets to members of Parkview's "Battersea Power Station Community Forum" as they arrived for their quarterly meeting at the Power Station. The leaflets were to announce the forthcoming demonstration to protest against the unnecessary demolition of the chimneys.

The meeting seemed to be very poorly attended with no more than about 15 people seen entering Parkview's compound in Kirtling Street. The Chair of the Community Forum, Ré Johnson, arrived in a smart new jeep.

Parkview's Community Forum is said to be "an independent organisation that represents the local community’s views and interests in respect of the Battersea Power Station urban regeneration project". However, its members are selected by Parkview. People who are critical of Parkview's leisure centre project, or their general lack of progress, and neglect of the listed building are not allowed to attend.

BPSCG member Keith Garner rattles Ré Johnson's cage. Photo: Brian Barnes

1st June 2006

DEMONSTRATION AT POWER STATION CALLED FOR 26th JUNE

BPSCG has called a demonstration to take place at the Battersea Power Station on 26th June from 5.00 to 7.00pm. The purpose of the demonstration is protest about the totally unnecessary demolition of the chimneys and to call on English Heritage to compulsorily purchase the building and transfer its ownership to a public interest trust. Click here for more details on the demonstration.

Supporters are asked to gather at the main gates in Kirtling Street from 5.00pm onwards.

26th May 2006

ENGLISH HERITAGE RECOMMEND LISTING UPGRADE - PARKVIEW IS OPPOSED

English Heritage has recommended increasing the listing grade of Battersea Power Station from Grade II to Grade II*. The recommendation is in response to an application to upgrade the listing made by BPSCG in 2003. The increase, if accepted by the DCMS, will place Battersea in the top 6% of listed buildings.

BPSCG's application to increase the listing was supported by the Twentieth Century Society , World Monuments Fund and Battersea Society. BPSCG has since learned that Parkview is lobbying the DCMS against the upgrade, and will be submitting a dossier to them in early June. More soon.

5th May 2006

BPSCG CHAIR BRIAN BARNES IS HIGHEST SCORING INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

Congratulations to BPSCG Chair Brian Barnes, who received 320 votes in yesterday's local elections, the highest for an independent candidate in the Borough. Brian's campaign in Queenstown Ward covered a range of issues including jobs, housing, transport and the environment.

Brian was accompanied to the election count at Wandsworth Civic Suite by BBC TV presenter Dan Cruickshank with a film crew. Dan's latest film will include a section on the current situation at Battersea. More to follow.

In a not unrelated development, Parkview's latest planning applications were made public on election day. The applications contain proposals for further destruction at Battersea Power Station, including the removal of the roofs of the turbine halls and switch houses.

17th March 2006

PRIVATE EYE: PARKVIEW HAS "PRESIDED OVER NEGLECT OF LISTED BUILDING FOR A DOZEN YEARS"

And now, with the complacent acquiescence of English Heritage, the celebrated landmark chimneys of Battersea Power Station, the first great temple of power by, again, the great Sir Giles Scott, are to come down. Parkview International, the Hong Kong-based developer which has presided over the neglect of the listed building for a dozen years, has rejected expert advice that the reinforced concrete chimneys can be repaired in situ and insist they must be replaced. Is there any guarantee that, once demolished, they will be rebuilt in replica (rather than leaving the power station as a derelict brick lump, ripe for demolition)? Why, no.

'Piloti', Private Eye, 17th March 2006

15th March 2006

POWER STATION AND RAILWAY REFIT IS A FAIRYTALE

The Wandworth Borough News has today published a major letter from Ernest Rodker of BPSCG, drawing attention to all of Parkview's neglect of the listed building down the years, culminating in the proposed demolition of the chimneys. Click here to read the letter.

14th March 2006

PARKVIEW INVADES CONSTABLE COUNTRY

A recent article in the Mail on Sunday confirms rumours that Parkview is the secret backer of controversial plans to build a theme park in unspoilt countryside in Suffolk. Click here to read the article (pdf file).

The article also records that Victor Hwang had said he would not demolish the buildings Iconic chimneys when he bought it in 1993, although he has recently won permission to replace them with replicas.

2nd March 2006

IS POWER STATION PLAN PIE IN SKY?

DEVELOPERS ARE 'LAND SPECULATING' SAYS COMMUNITY GROUP

The Battersea Guardian reports today:

A multi-million pound financier has pulled out of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment prompting critics to question whether the scheme will actually go ahead.

The £1 billion project's largest investor, Ballymore Properties, was expected to put up hundreds of millions of pounds. It is thought the Irish company wanted more flats, a change which would have meant going back to the drawing board.

Best despite suffering a series of false starts in the past, developers Parkview insists there is no problem, and the development, which will include hotels, retail space and housing on the 38 acre site, will still begin this summer.

A spokesman said: "It will have no material effect on the scheme at all. It has been mutually agreed not to progress matters on this occasion due to differences in view as to how the site might be best developed. This removes any uncertainty which may have been associated with a major equity partner wanting to alter the mix of components in the scheme. Plans for the development continue on schedule with construction due to start this summer."

A council spokesman agreed the project appeared in good health and that a renewed planning application asking for more residential space may have struggled due to the implications for local employment and transport.

Once completed in 2009, the development should create 9000 jobs.

Not everyone, however, is so positive about Parkview's prospects. Keith Garner, of the Battersea Power Station Community Group, said: "This is the pattern of Battersea Power Station over the years. Every few years they announce a big name, whether it be Warner Village Cinemas, Cirque du Soleil, Hyatt Hotels or Ballymore.

"They drop these names, these blue-chip companies, but after six months or a year there's an announcement that discussions have broken down.

"Its a repeating pattern, all these companies make their enquiries and then they make their excuses and go.

"Why is this?

"Parkview are not a serious developer, but a land speculator. They're stringing everyone along."

Andrew Westbrook, Battersea Guardian, 2nd March 2006

21st February 2006

BALLYMORE QUITS BATTERSEA POWER SCHEME

The Financial Times reports today:

"The £1.1 bn redevelopment of London's Battersea Power Station was under question last night after Ballymore Properties, the Irish group, walked away from the project.

Ballymore had been expected to make an equity stake of up to £400m in the iconic scheme and co-develop it with Parkview International, the Hong Kong Company that owns the 38-acre site.

It is understood that talks broke down because Ballymore wanted a larger amount of residential property than under the existing plan for the west London project.

Last night Parkview insisted that it would start construction this summer but questions remain over how it will finance the project."

John Murray Brown in Dublin and Jim Pickard in London, FT 21st February 2006

17th February 2006

LETTER TO PARKVIEW

BPSCG has written an open letter to Parkview International London, following the presentation by Steve Kennard of Parkview at the Building Centre on 8th February. Click here to download the letter (pdf file).

13th February 2006

PARKVIEW DOWNSIZES

Wright Reports published by the Wright Investors Service says that the Hong Kong Parkview Group only has 34 employees. The rep

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