Brentford among best places to buy a home in London in 2020: regeneration plan to bring thousands of new homes to Zone 4 area with fast trains to Waterloo

Smart buyers will get in early in this west London area's regeneration process for maximum uplift. 
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Ruth Bloomfield2 January 2020

Another of the capital’s industrial backwaters getting a much-needed makeover, Brentford is the west London hotspot you can afford.

Thousands of new homes are under construction overlooking the area’s three waterways - the Thames, the River Brent and Grand Union Canal – bringing with them new shops, restaurants and cultural and sporting facilities.

These new homes are augmenting the area’s existing stock of period houses, and although out in Zone 4 Brentford’s transport links are fast – trains to Waterloo station take just over half an hour.

Most local schools hold at least a “good” Ofsted report and Lionel Primary School and Gunnersbury Catholic School (seniors) are both considered “outstanding” by the schools’ watchdog.

The Brentford Project is set to bring 900 new homes, an arts centre and cinema

Why Brentford is tipped as one to watch in 2020

The smart money gets in early in the regeneration process for maximum uplift. Ballymore launched the first homes at its 12-acre site by the River Brent in September, with “exciting announcements” expected this year on the shops due to move into a rejuvenated high street.

The Brentford Project will eventually include almost 900 homes, plus facilities including a leisure centre, and an arts centre and cinema. Prices start at £442,500 for a one-bedroom flat; two-bedroom flats are priced from £652,000. Visit thebrentfordproject.com.

Ballymore is not alone in scenting potential in this town. Brentford Football Club’s home is getting a new stadium plus new homes, and another 700 or so homes are coming at Brentford Lock West (brentfordlockwest.co.uk) beside the Grand Union Canal.

Pros: proximity to the lovely Syon and Gunnersbury Parks.

Cons: regeneration comes at a price. Boat owners at the moorings at Waterman’s Park have been moved on to make way for a new marina. The High Street is basic and marred by empty shops. Motorway noise from the M4 blights some streets on the north side of Brentford.

Average house prices in Brentford ​ and what there is to buy

£485,000: a two-bedroom flat in Ferry Lane, Brentford

Average prices in TW8 have topped the £500,000 barrier, at £511,000 according to Rightmove. Five years ago the average price was just £376,000.

There’s not a huge number of houses in this area, which pushes up prices. A two- to three-bedroom period terrace house will cost around £550,000 to £650,000.

Flats are in plentiful supply and the new homes landing in the area have also pushed average prices upwards. Buyers have a good choice of newish two-bedroom flats - and the odd period conversion - for around £450,000 to £500,000.

More dated purpose-built two-bedroom flats have price tags closer to £300,000.