History of the Site
The site was historically part of arable land known as Battersea Fields where in 1829 the Duke of Wellington fought a duel with the Earl of Winchilsea.
The famous Thomas Cubitt saw the potential of the land, and in 1838 devised plans to turn it into a community of homes and leisure facilities, plans which were never realised. At the turn of the century the site became associated with some of the world's first balloon and helicopter flights made by famous air pioneers including Horatio Philips and Charles S Rolls of Rolls Royce fame and housed workshops for the design and manufacture of balloons, biplanes and helicopters and was associated with some of the world's first balloon and helicopter flights. In the 1970's industrial decline had left the site rundown and the land was mainly used as a vehicle compound.
Berkeley began work on the site in early 2001 to regenerate this site as a thriving new landmark destination and is creating a new chapter in the history of the site, one in which past aspirations to transform it into a vibrant residential, leisure and commercial centre are finally being realised.
