A Round Up of Major Developments in Wandsworth
A guide to help you keep track of what's being built and what's planned
It seems as if most of Wandsworth is undergoing development at the moment, with the regeneration of Battersea Power Station and heaps of new flats springing up along the riverside.
To help you keep track of the new schemes in your area, we’ve created a quick lowdown of the biggest developments happening in Wandsworth, covering everything from estate regeneration to spaces for new local businesses. Some have recently been completed while others are still going through planning or are being built.
Probably the most famous development at the moment is Nine Elms along the South Bank. It extends from Lambeth Bridge in the north, to Chelsea Bridge in the south, covering the Albert Embankment, Vauxhall and, importantly for Wandsworth, a large chunk of north Battersea.
The Grade II listed power station has been transformed into studio apartments and river-front penthouses, with prices from an eye-watering £885,000.
However, there are also 116 shared ownership properties on the Riverlight development on Nine Elms Lane as well as 57 new council properties for the area just off Battersea Park Road, where residents are already beginning to move in.
With the Northern Line extension expected to open stations at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station in 2021, Wandsworth and Lambeth councils hope up to 25,000 jobs and 20,000 new homes could be created. The improved transport links will open up South West London as improved routes make it just 15 minutes from the City.
There are already a number of new restaurants, bars and shops at the new Circus West Village development, with more coming in the future.
Further west along the Thames you’ll find the new Ram Quarter redevelopment.
Sat on the grounds of the old Young’s Brewery it will create 713 homes as well as 100,000 square foot of shops, community and leisure facilities.
Properties start from £580,000, with Help to Buy available, but go up to a whopping £2.85 million for a four bedroom duplex property in the former brewery building.
The area is rapidly becoming a popular destination, with Backyard Cinema opening its first permanent London cinema at the quarter in September.
Coopers' Lofts In The Grade II Listed Former Brewery Building. Picture: - Greenland (UK).
Wandsworth High Street has long seen problems with congestion, and is undergoing a one way system redesign to reduce traffic in the town centre, leaving it free for buses, cyclists and local access.
There have been various consultations since 2014 and issues with TfL’s cashflow, but it is now expected that work will start on the street in August 2021 and be finished by September 2023.
Nigel Hardy, TfL’s Head of Programme Sponsorship, said: “Our work to transform Wandsworth town centre will reduce the dominance of motor traffic, enabling more people to walk, cycle and use public transport and will boost business in the area. We continue to fine tune the scheme to ensure that we bring forward the best scheme possible and plan to start work in late 2021. We continue to work closely with London Borough of Wandsworth on our proposals.”
Another long-term project in Wandsworth involves the Winstanley and York estates as well as the Bramlands area. Following a consultation in 2013 a preferred option has been developed and updated over time.
The current proposals are to demolish 709 post war social-rent and owned properties, rebuilding 530 social rent homes in the regeneration area as well as an additional 110 council homes for social renting on nearby sites.
Edward Foster Court
A further 100 new shared equity homes will be built for resident homeowners who wish to remain in the area, as well as 100 low cost home ownership and 100 additional affordable homes.
However, there will also be 1,400 other new properties on the site, most of which will be private.
Wandsworth council say a new leisure centre, improved library and community centre will be created alongside new local shops and cafes.
Another large estate regeneration involves the Alton Estate on the edge of Richmond Park. It is one of the biggest estates in the UK and includes many iconic modernist buildings.
Consultation began in 2012, and Wandsworth council approved the masterplan for its redevelopment in 2014. It will see up to 1,103 new homes built to contribute towards meeting the borough’s housing needs.
All secure council tenants will be offered a secure council tenancy and new home on the Alton estate and resident leaseholders and freeholders are being offered the opportunity to purchase a new home on the estate through a shared-equity scheme.
The plans also include an ‘Urban Quarter’ which will feature a new village square and multi-purpose community building.
However, Sadiq Khan has expressed “serious concerns” about the plans and the “lack of clarity” on the re-provision of social rented housing in a personal letter to Wandsworth’s council leader.
Ravi Govindia criticised the Mayor’s decision to publish the letter and said there would be a net increase of more than 830 homes.
Phase one construction starts this year, and the estate is expected to be completed by 2030.
Sian Bayley - Local Democracy Reporter
October 23, 2019