Sir Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, and Felicity Kendal have won a two-year planning battle to prevent the construction of a 29-storey tower that would have obscured their view of the River Thames. The proposed 100-metre-tall building was slated for a site next to Battersea Bridge in southwest London, offering residents a panoramic vista of the London skyline. However, the dominating apartment block—almost as tall as the nearby Battersea Power Station—sparked outrage among residents north of the river in Chelsea, including several high-profile figures who call the affluent area home.
Celebrity Objections
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, who moved to Chelsea with bandmates Brian Jones and Keith Richards in the early 1960s, described the tower as making 'no sense' and being 'totally wrong on every level.' The 82-year-old singer stated: '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 … changing this wonderful stretch of the Thames riverside forever.'
Eric Clapton, 81, expressed concerns that approval of the plans could trigger a 'free-for-all' of similar developments in the area. He remarked: 'These developers don't give a damn what anyone thinks. They are just in it for the money.'
Planning Application and Rejection
In 2024, architecture firm Farrells and luxury property developer Rockwell applied for permission to demolish the six-storey Glassmill office block on Battersea Bridge Road and replace it with the tower. Rockwell initially planned a 34-storey building with 142 flats, later revised to 110 flats including 54 affordable homes. Wandsworth Council rejected the plan, deeming its size excessive, detrimental to the skyline, and likely to 'devastate' neighbours' lives.
Rockwell appealed the decision, but after an eight-day public hearing, planning inspector Joanna Gilbert sided with the council and the celebrity objectors. In her ruling, Gilbert stated that the tower would have 'adverse effects on the character and appearance of the local area' and would be 'overbearing.' She added: '[The tower] 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.' She also noted that due to its height and location, the building would appear 'alien and isolated... harming spatial character.'
Community Campaign
The campaign to stop the construction was launched two years ago by residents who argued the high-rise would 'tower over' their homes. A petition under the banner STOP One Battersea Bridge (SOBB) on Change.org garnered nearly 5,000 signatures, including support from Jagger, Clapton, actress Felicity Kendal, TV presenter Anthea Turner, and comedian Harry Hill. Kendal, 77, who has lived in Chelsea since 1991, previously asked Wandsworth Council in dismay: 'Who on earth would think that building such a massive tower by this bridge was a good idea?'
Battersea's local Labour MP, Marsha de Cordova, also voiced opposition to the scheme.
Developer Response
In a statement, Rockwell said: '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.'
