First-time buys: shared ownership homes in Battersea from £158k in well-connected spot between the power station and park

With Battersea Park on one side and the regeneration of Battersea Power Station on the other, there can be few first-time buyer-friendly schemes in London better located than West View Battersea.

And since Battersea Park station is also on the doorstep — Zone 2, with trains to Victoria taking four minutes — brilliant transport links are taken care of, too. In 2020 residents will also be able to pick up the Northern line at the new Battersea Power Station Tube station, which will be in Zone 1.

Shared-ownership homes at West View Battersea are due to go on sale in early spring from £157,500 for a 25 per cent share of a one-bedroom flat, and from £203,750 for a 25 per cent share of a two-bedroom home.

“West View Battersea provides first-time buyers with the chance to live in a sleek and sophisticated home in one of the most exciting areas south of the river, while also having the serenity of park-side living,” says Debbie Coombs, head of sales and marketing at Peabody housing association. “There is no need to compromise when purchasing at the development as it really does offer young professionals everything.”

WOW-FACTOR DISTRICT

The flats are within Berkeley Homes’ Vista development, close to Chelsea Bridge and on the border of the Nine Elms regeneration zone. Within easy walking distance are the park’s tennis courts, café and boating lake.

The start of King’s Road at Sloane Square is a mile away with its many shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. Battersea Park Road is even closer, and Lavender Hill is less than two miles from the scheme. As Nine Elms develops, new attractions will include a cinema at Battersea Power Station and an artisanal food market at New Covent Garden Market.

The development, designed by architects Scott Brownrigg, is in two low-rise curved buildings scored with wraparound balconies and set around private gardens. There will be just over 450 homes on site when complete. The new flats have oak flooring and fitted wardrobes, and many have balconies overlooking the park. Buyers need to have a household income of less than £90,000 and already live or work in Wandsworth.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU BUY?

The average price of a flat in SW11 stands at almost £750,000 according to Rightmove, putting this postcode far out of the reach of most first-time buyers. With a budget of £500,000 the best you are going to do is a one-bedroom period flat, unless you buy above a shop or in an ex-council block. James Pendleton estate agents has a very smart one-bedroom flat in Bennerley Road for £474,950.

To get more bang for your buck head slightly south towards Brockwell Park. The compromise here is the lack of a station on the doorstep but a walk to nearby Brixton or Herne Hill stations might be worthwhile for the relative value of property. In Holmewood Gardens, half a mile from Streatham Hill station, Eden Harper has a smart, two-bedroom period flat for £479,950.

One-bedroom flats in one of this area’s Victorian houses tend to sell from between £300,000 and £350,000. Marlow Estates is listing a one-bedroom flat in Helix Road with a guide price of £325,000.