A History of Development in Battersea
It is thought the name of Battersea (in medieval times Batricheseie, Batricesege or variants) is likely to refer to the gravel 'island' adjacent to the Thames where the church, manor house and arable field lay. The manor of Battersea belonged to the crown in 1066, but William the Conqueror gave it to Westminster Abbey after the conquest. It was then one of the principal manors supporting monks in the area.
When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1540, the manor was returned to the crown, eventually being sold to the St John family. The Spencer family purchased it towards the end of the eighteenth century, and the manor remains the family's property today.
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.
With construction of railways during the Victorian period, the suburbanisation of London accelerated, and Battersea's population increased from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901, when it was a Metropolitan Borough. Four railways companies occupied much of the open land, and the riverside wharves and windmills were replaced by companies such as Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, a number of flour mills, various breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. Battersea Park was built just in time to save the whole of Battersea from being swamped and overrun by industry.
Better quality suburban housing was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870. Nevertheless, conditions in the north of the parish remained impoverished. Until the Second World War bombing which destroyed much of the riverside property, Battersea remained relatively unchanged for more than 50 years.
After the war, a huge municipal rebuilding plan took over much of the area. Meanwhile, west of Albert Bridge, industries on the river began to relocate or close, with housing taking their place. This included high rise apartment blocks such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, intended to appeal to young professionals.
The Royal College of Arts expansion in Battersea has attracted media and fashion based industries to the area, as well as the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, in addition to the reinvention of Nine Elms, where the new United States embassy will be located. Consequently, property prices in Battersea have started to compete with those across the river in Kensington and Chelsea.
Deprivation still exists on estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore, and the increased demand for cheaper social housing, especially for families, is still not being met. Improved transport links from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays have opened, and the station and surrounding area are gradually being refurbished. Positive change is on the way, although there is much still to do.
When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1540, the manor was returned to the crown, eventually being sold to the St John family. The Spencer family purchased it towards the end of the eighteenth century, and the manor remains the family's property today.
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.
With construction of railways during the Victorian period, the suburbanisation of London accelerated, and Battersea's population increased from 6,617 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901, when it was a Metropolitan Borough. Four railways companies occupied much of the open land, and the riverside wharves and windmills were replaced by companies such as Prices Candles, Morgan's Crucible works, Garton's Glucose factory, a number of flour mills, various breweries and the Nine Elms Gas Works. Battersea Park was built just in time to save the whole of Battersea from being swamped and overrun by industry.
Better quality suburban housing was built along Battersea Rise and beyond after 1870. Nevertheless, conditions in the north of the parish remained impoverished. Until the Second World War bombing which destroyed much of the riverside property, Battersea remained relatively unchanged for more than 50 years.
After the war, a huge municipal rebuilding plan took over much of the area. Meanwhile, west of Albert Bridge, industries on the river began to relocate or close, with housing taking their place. This included high rise apartment blocks such as the Trade Tower on Plantation Wharf, intended to appeal to young professionals.
The Royal College of Arts expansion in Battersea has attracted media and fashion based industries to the area, as well as the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, in addition to the reinvention of Nine Elms, where the new United States embassy will be located. Consequently, property prices in Battersea have started to compete with those across the river in Kensington and Chelsea.
Deprivation still exists on estates such as Winstanley, Doddington and Patmore, and the increased demand for cheaper social housing, especially for families, is still not being met. Improved transport links from Clapham Junction to Surrey Quays have opened, and the station and surrounding area are gradually being refurbished. Positive change is on the way, although there is much still to do.
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posted by Vittoria @ November 20, 2013
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