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Plans for a US embassy compound to be built near Vauxhall are set to be given the green light today.
The US wants to move its embassy from its present site in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, because of security concerns. The new building in Nine Elms would be protected by a 30-metre "blast zone" and a detachment of US marines.
Security is so tight only US-based architects are being allowed to design it.
Wandsworth council is expected to approve the project tonight after a report supported the plans, subject to conditions including contributing local transport schemes.
The Americans want a main building of up to 540,000 square feet, with a 97-metre tower. Boris Johnson has threatened to reject the plans if they do not include a £2.5million contribution for Crossrail.Work is due to start in 2013 and be complete by 2016.
Reader views (2)
I know it's hard to try to be fair to the Americans when they try so hard to be unfair to us, but ...
they're moving OUT of the central zone that Crossrail will serve. Shouldn't it be whoever re-develops the Grosvenor square site that should be paying towards Crossrail?
On the other hand, given the US embassy's refusal to pay the C-charge, if we can get them this way, we probably should!
- Nigel, London, 16/09/2009 18:08
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Maybe the article should be accompanied by a photo of the rusty abandoned and derelict buildings currently on the proposed site?
The regeneration of this part of Nine Elms is desperately needed.
- Mark Lee, Vauxhall, UK, 16/09/2009 12:46
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