Plans for a 29-storey tower looming over Battersea Bridge have finally been quashed - with high profile objectors including The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Felicity Kendal and Harry Hill.
A planning battle over the proposed 100m tower on the south bank of the Thames has raged for over two years, with the chimneys of the development reported to be almost as high as the nearby former power station.
The plans were rejected by councillors last year, but the developer has now lost its appeal over the decision.
Sir Mick, who moved to Chelsea on the north side of the river in the early 1960s, said the project "made no sense" and was "wrong on every level".
He said: “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 in the area, changing this wonderful stretch of the Thames riverside forever.”
Fellow rock legend Eric Clapton, 81, also weighed in on the plans, saying the effect of approval would be a “free-for-all" for other developers to build high buildings along the Thames.
Clapton said: “These developers don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. They are just in it for the money.”
The Good Life actress Felicity Kendal welcomed the inspector’s rejection of the appeal, The Sun reports.
Kendal, 79, said: “I am so happy that this tower has been refused. The entire plan was ridiculous and would have ruined this part of the riverside forever.
“‘We must all be prepared to take a stand and fight to protect special areas from these high rise block that are little more than investment opportunities for big property companies who do not give a damn about communities or where they put their developments.”
The developer Rockwell Property planned for the 29 storey building to contain 110 flats, including 54 affordable homes, with parking and a commercial premises on the ground floor.
Rockwell insisted the new building would help resolved London's "urgent need for new, high quality housing".
But the proposal was opposed by parties across the spectrum on Wandsworth Council, who rejected the application - stating the building would ruin the skyline and neighbours’ views. They were supported in this decision by the Greater London Authority.
Rockwell appealed to the Planning Inspectorate as a last resort but last week, the application was comprehensively rejected.
Inspector Joanna Gilbert concluded the tower would be "overbearing" and have "adverse effects on the character and appearance of the local area".
Following the eight-day hearing, Ms Gilbert stated: "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 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."
Following the inspector's rejection, Rockwell stated: “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.
"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."
