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Battersea Park
Property

Thinking of renting or buying in Battersea

By Patricia Connell
08/10/2012

Finding the right area to buy in London is fraught with difficulty, whether you are a vendor,  a landlord, a first-time buyer or an experienced player, an investor or a developer.

So we have been taking a look at different areas of London, talked to people who know these places well, and to some of the estate agents active in the market, to gain a better understanding of the options.

Our first stop was Battersea. Why Battersea you ask?  Well, because a lot of changes are under way here over the next few years and we thought that it would be a good starting point, not least because more and more of the existing French community in London is already focussing on the area.

Perhaps the biggest driver of change in the area is going to be the arrival of the American Embassy, with the planning for the move from Mayfair to the new site (Nine Elms) south of the river already well into the planning stage. A related extension of the Northern Line is also promised, with 2015/16 understood to be the targeted delivery date for both projects.

 

Could the Battersea Power Station Area end up looking like this?
Could the Battersea Power Station Area end up looking like this?

Then, of course, there are the major re-development plans for the area around Battersea Power station which include a pedestrianised zone. For those of you who know Paris, think Belleville and the Cité des Sciences and how this area was transformed when it was re-launched in this way.

 

Battersea - London
Battersea - London


I remember when I first visited Battersea as I was about to move to London from Bristol back in the mid eighties. Battersea was then a long way from what it has become. It had not gone yet through the process of ‘gentrification’ but there were some major advantages to its position and these clearly remain, with Chelsea and the fashionable King’s Road only a short walk away.

By the late 90s, many new developments had taken place, especially with some landmark developments on the river. Battersea is therefore already well on the way to becoming one of the most sought-after areas of South West London and scope for further capital appreciation still looks good.

In spite of the many changes and developments, Battersea still has a real sense of community to it, with a small village feel being one of the major reasons why local residents feel so passionately about the area. It is home to a vibrant mix of established residents, new families and young professionals and it has many active community groups, including the Battersea Power Station Community Group and The Battersea Society.

Shopping

There is a range of high street and independent boutique style shops on Northcote Road, many of which are favoured by the fashion-conscious residents living in Battersea, giving nearby Chelsea a run for its money.

St John’s Road, St John's Hill and Falcon Road are other popular shopping streets offering a range of large and smaller retailers, specialising in a range of sectors, from fashion to interior design.

The markets in Battersea include Battersea High Street Market, which sells household goods, cards, fruit and vegetables, and Northcote Road Market, which features some wonderful deli products and clothing.

Attractions

There is no shortage of green spaces with Battersea Park, Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common, (which is in Battersea and not Clapham), all offering an abundance of events and activities including rowing, football, rugby, fishing, bowls, cricket, jogging and  children's playgrounds.

Eating Out

There are a large number of bars, cafés and restaurants to choose from in Battersea, appealing to a wide range of tastes. The family friendly Pizza Express on Lavender Hill and Battersea Bridge Road is always popular with the kids. One of my favourite restaurants in the area is without any doubt Chez Bruce.

 

Chez Bruce
Chez Bruce

Local bars and clubs play a part in the lively feel of the area. Bars, pubs, and clubs include the Peacock bar, with its eclectic vintage look offering cocktails and burlesque cabaret, the Alchemist , which attracts a lively crowd up for dancing the night away, the the1970's-style Mishmash bar and Le QuecumBar, which provides gypsy swing-jazz most nights of the week.

Schools

 

Wix
Wix


Battersea is only a short way away from the French Lycée Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington and Wix, the French Lycée site in Clapham. In addition, there are some very good independent schools near by such as Thomas’s and Eaton House, Dulwich prep. but also some really good state schools such as Allfarthing and Belleville schools.

Transport

At the moment and until 2015, Battersea will remain an area without any tube stations but there are many buses that can take you into central London.

Plus, Boris Johnson has planned to get Barclays Bikes stations installed later this year.

House prices

House prices in London have seen a dramatic increase in the last 12 months and in some areas, prices have risen more than in other areas. For instance, in Battersea, Richard à Brassard of Courtenay the Estate Agents told us that a two-bed cottage they sold 12 months ago for £530k went for £625k only a week ago.

 

Prince of Wales Drive Mansion
Prince of Wales Drive Mansion

The great thing about Battersea is that prices are still relatively affordable in comparison to other parts of central London that look increasingly out of reach for most buyers. Prices for a one-bed flat can start from as a little as £230k (Maysoule Road) but can go up to as much as £695k (Albion Riverside), with properties overlooking Battersea Park and the river being at the top end of the market.

Around Little India, South of Clapham Junction, it is not uncommon to be able to find a 3-bed house for £800k to £850k and on the north side expect to pay between £900k and £1m for a 4-bed house. Between the commons, houses can cost anywhere between £1.2M and £2M.

Renting in Battersea

For a one-bed flat, prices start around £290 per week and £355 for a two-bedroom. For something well located expect to pay about £350 for a one-bed and £450 for a two-bed.

 

For more information about Battersea or to buy or rent in Battersea

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