POWER HOUSES: Work has begun on a £500m project to regenerate Battersea Power Station, south-west London, and its surrounding area. The site has permission for up to 650 homes, but there will be no affordable element as the scheme received outline planning permission in 1997, before the Greater London Authority's application of rules on the provision of affordable housing on new developments. The project will be completed by 2010 and will include a leisure complex and a 2500-seat theatre.