The name Battersea (in medieval times Batricheseie, Batricesege or variants) is thought to relate to the gravel area next to the Thames where the church, manor house, and arable field were. Soon after the conquest, William the Conqueror gave it to Westminster Abbey, but until 1066 the manor of Battersea was the crown's property. It became central to supporting the monks at the Abbey.
In 1540, when the dissolution of the monasteries took place, the manor reverted to crown ownership and was eventually purchased by the St John family. Towards the end of the eighteenth century it became property of the Spencer family, and remains their property to this day.
Between the early seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries, Battersea was very well known for supplying vegetables, fruit and flowers to a great many of London's markets, in addition to exporting plants to the colonies in America. The centre of the village was next to the river, close to the church, with a scattering of industry nearby.
Battersea's population increased hugely from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901 due to the construction of railways and the resulting suburbanisation of London. By this time it was a Metropolitan Borough. Four railway companies occupied a large amount of the open land, and various new industries replaced the wharves and riverside windmills. These included Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, flour mills, breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. Battersea Park was built in time to rescue Thames-side Battersea from being overwhelmed by industry.
Suburban housing of much better quality was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870, and was within reach of the commons. The north of the parish remained severely impoverished, however. Battersea remained relatively unchanged for the next half a century or so, until the Second World War bombing destroyed or damaged a lot of the riverside property in the borough.
A large part of this area was rebuilt after the Second World War, in a vast municipal rebuilding plan. At the same time, riverside industry to the west of Albert Bridge began to close down or relocate, and housing took its place - mostly high rise apartment developments, such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, targeted at young professionals working in London.
The Royal College of Art's continually expanding presence in Battersea has helped to encourage newer media and fashion based industries to move to the area, and the redevelopment of the long derelict Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms (where the new United States Embassy will be based), has resulted in the property prices there catching up with those in the neighbouring areas of Kensington and Chelsea.
Estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore are still deprived areas, and despite the insatiable demand for cheaper social housing, this shows no indication of being met in the near future. The opening of an over ground line has improved transport links from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays and beyond. Much remains to be done, but there are many signs that positive change is around the corner for Battersea and the surrounding area.
In 1540, when the dissolution of the monasteries took place, the manor reverted to crown ownership and was eventually purchased by the St John family. Towards the end of the eighteenth century it became property of the Spencer family, and remains their property to this day.
Between the early seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries, Battersea was very well known for supplying vegetables, fruit and flowers to a great many of London's markets, in addition to exporting plants to the colonies in America. The centre of the village was next to the river, close to the church, with a scattering of industry nearby.
Battersea's population increased hugely from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901 due to the construction of railways and the resulting suburbanisation of London. By this time it was a Metropolitan Borough. Four railway companies occupied a large amount of the open land, and various new industries replaced the wharves and riverside windmills. These included Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, flour mills, breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. Battersea Park was built in time to rescue Thames-side Battersea from being overwhelmed by industry.
Suburban housing of much better quality was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870, and was within reach of the commons. The north of the parish remained severely impoverished, however. Battersea remained relatively unchanged for the next half a century or so, until the Second World War bombing destroyed or damaged a lot of the riverside property in the borough.
A large part of this area was rebuilt after the Second World War, in a vast municipal rebuilding plan. At the same time, riverside industry to the west of Albert Bridge began to close down or relocate, and housing took its place - mostly high rise apartment developments, such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, targeted at young professionals working in London.
The Royal College of Art's continually expanding presence in Battersea has helped to encourage newer media and fashion based industries to move to the area, and the redevelopment of the long derelict Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms (where the new United States Embassy will be based), has resulted in the property prices there catching up with those in the neighbouring areas of Kensington and Chelsea.
Estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore are still deprived areas, and despite the insatiable demand for cheaper social housing, this shows no indication of being met in the near future. The opening of an over ground line has improved transport links from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays and beyond. Much remains to be done, but there are many signs that positive change is around the corner for Battersea and the surrounding area.
About the Author:
If you want to know more about Battersea estate agents, come to our site|website|blog. The house market watcher blog has all the latest property news and updates.
No comments:
Post a Comment