Three major building schemes have been put on ice after last-minute government intervention.

The long-running saga over an office block in Battersea Square, a six-storey building over an old bomb shelter in Balham and the latest phase of development at the Price's Candle site have all been put on hold after Battersea MP Martin Linton complained the schemes did not include affordable homes.

Hours before councillors were due to discuss the schemes at a planning meeting, the Government Office for London (GoL) slapped an Article 14 on them. This means no work can start until the GoL decides whether or not there should be a public inquiry.

Mr Linton said the interventions were needed because "Wandsworth just isn't looking after the housing needs of local people."

In Battersea Square, developers submitted the latest in a string of applications to build offices. All the previous schemes have been strongly opposed by local residents and turned down by councillors worried about over-development.

The latest scheme is for a part four and five and part seven-storey block. Officers believed the new design had overcome previous grounds for refusal.

Councillor Roger Bird told the meeting he felt GoL's intervention just hours earlier was "an insult" to all the people who went along to hear the council's decision. Protesters say they are seeking advice.

The plans for 4 to 8 Balham Hill would involve knocking down some buildings near the former cinema and putting up a six-storey block of shops and flats plus a terrace of eight mews houses. There would be some alterations to the entrance of the Second World War bomb shelter.

In both these cases councillors said they were fed up with government interference in planning issues, but would defer discussing the scheme for a few weeks while GoL makes up its mind.

But they refused to wait to discuss the latest phase of the Price's Candle redevelopment.

This involves partial rebuilding of existing buildings and constructing extensions and roof additions to create 21 flats and business space.

This comes after extensive redevelopment of the old factory site with hundreds of new flats and office space.

Councillors said they could not understand why a relatively minor additional proposal would need a public inquiry.

"Why anyone would call this in at this late stage is beyond me. I think GoL has made a mistake," said Councillor Gordon Passmore.

They decided to go ahead and give it permission. If the Article 14 is lifted, this means work will be able to start straight away.

December 21, 2001 11:00