Battersea Power Station was the one of the first generation of large coal-fired electrical generating facilities set up in England as part of the National Grid power distribution system.  The building was designed by architect J Theo Halliday, and Giles Gilbert Scott -who designed the red telephone boxes - was consulting architect bought in to refashion the exterior in 1929. It is one of the largest brick built structures in Europe and is notable for its original and lavish Art Deco fittings and décor.  The station ceased electricity-generation in 1983.

Margaret Hodge said:

“Battersea Power Station is an international iconic building which has had a recurring place in popular culture; from being the setting for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1936 film Sabotage, being on the cover of Pink Floyd’s 1977 album Animals, to being the centre stage of one of the episodes of the 2007 BBC TV series New Tricks.  It is an exceptional building and an important example of the architectural work of the noted architect Giles Gilbert Scott.

“I consider that English Heritage has been very careful in its advice, they have taken full account of the interior losses and have weighed this properly against the remaining merits of the building. For this reason I am satisfied with the recommendation of an upgrade to Grade II*.”

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said:

“The upgrading of this internationally celebrated landmark is exceptionally good news. Battersea Power Station is one of London’s most loved buildings and this much-deserved upgrading can only put extra emphasis on the importance of the regeneration process and help to speed it along.

“Battersea’s outstanding exterior has a grandeur and scale more like the ruins of a Roman basilica. Giles Gilbert Scott was a major figure in 20th century architecture and successfully proved that massive, modern utilities could have an architectural distinction in their own right."

Battersea Power Station was listed at Grade II in October 1980. In June 2004, DCMS received an application to upgrade the building’s listing grade to II* and following advice from English Heritage, in July 2004, the then Culture Minister agreed that the case should be left open until ongoing maintenance works had been completed and a full inspection undertaken. Following a site assessment by English Heritage and a period of consultation, the decision has now taken that the Power Station should be upgraded to Grade II*.

Notes to Editors

1. The main purpose of listing a building is to ensure that care will be taken over decisions affecting its future, that any alterations respect the particular character and interest of the building, and that the case for its preservation is taken fully into account in considering the merits of any redevelopment proposals.
2. The total number of list entries is 372,905 which break down as:
   9,137 Grade 1
   21,009 Grade II*
   341,894 Grade II
3. Grade II denotes buildings of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them, while Grade II* denotes particularly important buildings of more than special interest. A Grade II* building is more likely to be eligible for English Heritage grants for repair works.
4. Further details of English Heritage's recommendations can be obtained from Historic Environment Designation Branch, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH.
   Information about listing is also available on the "Historic environment" pages of this website's "What we do" section.