Central London’s largest regeneration area
The Nine Elms area of Battersea is central London’s largest regeneration area. It is an underused industrial area which is being redeveloped on a huge scale. Over the next ten years, the Nine Elms project will bring an Olympic scale boost to Wandsworth.
Wandsworth’s residents will also benefit from the Northern line extension from Kennington to Battersea. New stations at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station are also scheduled for completion in 2020, supporting 25,000 new jobs and more than 18,000 new homes.
Wandsworth borders some of London’s most affluent boroughs. Just across the river are
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
- The City of Westminster
- Lambeth, Merton
- The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
- Richmond upon Thames
Residents in the borough are a very well qualified workforce, 65% of them are professionals, and 14% are management or seniors.
Property prices in Wandsworth are fairly high, it is the seventh most expensive of the London boroughs. It is, however, cheaper than adjoining Richmond, Kensington, Hammersmith & Fulham and City of Westminster, so it’s still a good choice for property investors.
The Ram Quarter Development is a high-quality mixed-use scheme for Wandsworth Town Centre. It will provide 661 new homes, a 36 storey landmark residential tower. 9,500 sq. m of retail space for new shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. The development will generate around 500 new permanent jobs upon completion.
Not only will Wandsworth have an extension of the Northern line in 2020 but also its own stop on the Crossrail 2.
The trains will stop at Clapham Junction station, Europe’s busiest station, and get passengers to Hertfordshire and far areas of Surrey. Which may also benefit from the Northern line extension, as there is a possibility the underground route could extend past Battersea Power Station and onto Clapham Junction.
Find out more with our free Wandsworth Property Investment Guide.
Economy & Employment
The second highest proportion of full-time employees in the country.
A high proportion (70.8%) of Wandsworth’s workforce is economically active. In addition, Wandsworth ranked second highest in the country (outside the City of London) for the proportion of full-time employees (50.9%), whilst having amongst the lowest proportions of part-time employees (7.8%) and retired residents (6.2%).
There was also a 90% increase between the 2001-2011 Census in the number of residents employed in professional occupations. As a result, it’s a very aspirational area where tenants seek quality rental accommodation that new builds provide.
GVA in Wandsworth per head was very high. According to a recent Place Profile from the Local Features Group, the area ranks in the top 20% of districts nationally. GVA in the borough per head stands at £57,438, compared to £46,047 nationally.
Self-employment in the borough represents 21% of residents. This is similar to the rest of London at 11.7%. The growth between census’ is a healthy 56%.
Due to its easy access to London’s big employment hubs many residents in Wandsworth commute to areas such as Canary Wharf and London Victoria.
Investment
The Nine Elms regeneration project is well underway with the first units due for completion in 2016.
Wandsworth council’s aim is to improve existing areas of Wandsworth by approving plans for new developments to cultivate better housing, transport, leisure pursuits and business opportunities in the borough.
The Alton area in Roehampton is one of many areas the council are planning to regenerate. The plan is for up to 800 new homes, as well as 309 refurbished properties. The project will also allow for 5,000 square metres of residential space and possibly 400 student lets.
Around 22,000 construction jobs will be created as Nine Elms is redeveloped. They will include apprenticeships, traineeships and work placements to help local people get on the career ladder. Around 25,000 permanent jobs will be created in Nine Elms once the new buildings are occupied.
Another area in Battersea of regeneration is Winstanley and York Road. The £100 million projects will add another 2,000 homes. The site is only an 8-minute walk from Clapham Junction station.
Transport
Air: Wandsworth lies midway between London City Airport to the east and London Heathrow Airport to the west, both airports are a little over 14 miles by road.
Rail: National Rail Stations that serve the borough are Queenstown Road (Battersea), Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Wandsworth Town, Putney, Battersea Park, Balham, Wandsworth Common and Tooting. Tube stations in the borough are Clapham South, Balham, Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway, East Putney and Southfields.
Road: Five bridges join Wandsworth to the three London Boroughs on the north side of the Thames, Chelsea Bridge, Albert Bridge, Battersea Bridge, Wandsworth Bridge and Putney Bridge. There are also a number of bridges crossing the River Wandle which runs through the centre of Wandsworth town and divides the borough in two.
Bus: Wandsworth is served by comprehensive bus services both day and night, which incorporate the City and the West End.
Education
Wandsworth borough has 61 primary schools, 11 secondary schools, 7 special schools and 27 independent schools.
Notable schools: Wandsworth has the notable Elliott School, a specialist Language College and former school of Pierce Brosnan.
In 1842 Whitelands College was founded in Chelsea. These buildings, now listed, were one of the Borough’s largest educational sites until 2005 when the College, again moved, this time to a site in Roehampton, where it is now a constituent College of Roehampton University.
Further Education: St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College is located on the borders of Wandsworth and Lambeth close to Clapham South tube station. It offers courses for 16-19-year-olds, as well as Adult Education classes.
Higher Education: South Thames College has existed at the Wandsworth site for more than 100 years, it is one of the largest further education colleges in London, having recently merged with Merton College.
University study is also available at the University of Roehampton in the west of the borough. The university offers a range of under and postgraduate courses to its 7,650 students.
Shops & Leisure
Shopping & Dining: Wandsworth High Street is dominated by the recently regenerated Southside shopping centre. The upper level contains 6 restaurants and a 14-screen Cineworld cinema. There is also a Virgin Active gym at the Wandsworth High Street end of the shopping centre. Chez Bruce is a Michelin star restaurant in Wandsworth’s, Bellevue Road, co-owned by Bruce Poole and his business partner Nigel Platts-Martin. It is one of London’s most popular restaurants.
Culture & Entertainment: In Old Battersea two fine masonry mansions survived The Blitz, Old Battersea House and Downshire House, today both hold rare Grade II listed status. Clapham’s Manor Street is home to Clapham Leisure Centre, as well as Venn Street with an independent cinema, restaurants and a food market held every weekend throughout the year.
Green Space: Wandsworth is home to Battersea Park, Wandsworth Common and Tooting Commons, Tooting Bec Common and Tooting Graveney Common, together with a range of smaller parks and playgrounds (such as Wandsworth Park). Also within the borough are Putney Heath and part of Putney Lower Common.