A Battersea business and housing development may now include 14 affordable homes after a revised planning application was submitted to the council.

The original application was withdrawn last month after it was called in for examination by the Government Office for London.

The landlords of Southbank Commercial Centre, in Battersea Park Road, had already come in for criticism from residents, businesses and Battersea MP Martin Linton for not including affordable homes in the plans.

Council officers recommended the original scheme be approved. But in August, Mr Linton wrote to Housing Minister Lord Falconer to object to the original scheme.

He said: "Wandsworth was set to approve another housing development that took no account of the local need for low cost homes. This new application shows the owners of the centre have got the message."

Mr Linton added the fate of local businesses still hangs in the balance as the revised scheme has reduced commercial space compared to the existing building, which is due to be knocked down to make way for the development.

A council spokesman said the addition of affordable homes may not guarantee approval because the lack of commercial space was still a concern.

Plans for the block of 57 flats and business accommodation will now go before the council in the new year.

December 7, 2001 12:01