Vivienne Westwood HQ set for major height expansion

The Vivienne Westwood headquarters in south London will be extended by eight storeys.

Wandsworth Council approved the fashion firm's plans to modernise and extend two buildings on the Battersea site.

Although councillors praised the scheme, they raised concerns that the development would overlook neighbours.

The council's planning committee approved the scheme on 20 January.

The council report said the current headquarters were "cramped, confined and ill-serve the company that seeks to attract significant investment, high-calibre staff and project a global image of a strong, forward-looking and sustainable brand".

Parts of the building will be extended by up to eight storeys, with the resulting new headquarters eventually reaching up to 10 storeys.

Labour councillor Sara Apps said she sympathised with neighbours, but welcomed the scheme overall.

She said: "I like the idea of Vivienne Westwood's headquarters staying within Battersea."

She added: "I think that's a really good economic development. I also like the fact that they are using much of the existing building for sustainability reasons.

"I think that's really good and it's also historic."

The works will be split into two phases to allow the company to continue operations.

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