Watkin Jones is in the process of securing a funding partner for a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme at 41-59 Battersea Park Road in Nine Elms, Battersea.
The scheme would see the re-development of the Bookers Wholesale and the BMW garage on Battersea Park Road and Sleaford Street into a vibrant mixed-use development. The project, which is currently at the planning stage, consists of three buildings with heights varying from 12 to 22 storeys.
The development is set to offer 762 student beds and is conveniently located near the Battersea Power Station. In addition to the student accommodation, the scheme will also provide 55 affordable homes.
Planning was first submitted in May 2022. Designed by Howells, the Nine Elms PBSA scheme has undergone several design revisions including the addition of second staircases, and the reduction in height of one building – with this same building’s footprint reduced.
Improvements have also been made to the proposed landscaping and public play space, as well as internal amenities for students, resulting in biodiversity and urban greening improvements.
The Battersea Park Road proposal also includes 4,400 sqm of new public realm including a new play space for children up to 17 years old, 475 sqm of new commercial, business and service space, and the planting of over 300 trees. Delivery of the scheme would create over 300 new jobs on the site.
With concerns over the height of the scheme by some Councillors, Watkin Jones has reduced the number of student rooms across the scheme from 779 to 762 and the number of affordable homes reduced from 81 to 55. One of the buildings has also been reduced by two storeys.
Watkin Jones recently took the step to appeal the council’s non-determination of the application in December 2024. Wandsworth Council nominally turned down permission for the scheme but the binding nature of the vote has been questioned.
