Streatham Hot Spot

Streatham is not a northern suburb of Brighton, even if it often seems

so to those who live outside SW2, SW12 and SW16. The town is actually no

further south than Wimbledon, and if the oft-promised tube line had

actually materialised, Streatham would seem much less remote. It is

fairly self-sufficient in any event.

Winkworth manager Nick Harrington, a nine-year Streatham resident, notes

that "Streatham Hill is only a mile and a quarter from Clapham Common.

Streatham has three rail stations to Victoria and London Bridge, and we

also have an enormous number of busses. Sloane Square in less than a

half hour by bus." However, local traffic is horrendous.

Many houses in Streatham are huge, and a large number have been

converted. The result is an abundance of flats and houses in all sizes,

shapes and prices, including new homes. "Streatham also has unusual

properties such as converted churches," says Townends manager Gayle

Horne. "Some industrial sites are empty, and developers are talking

about converting them."

If a pleasant affordable area is down the road from, and considerably

cheaper than, Clapham, Wandsworth, Balham and Brixton, growing families

from the pricier locales will inevitably get on their bikes. "People

from Clapham sell their two-bedroom flats and buy a family house in

Streatham with the proceeds," says Ms Horne.

Or they move from a house to a property similar in size but appreciably

cheaper, and they use the profit, says Mr Harrington, to put their

children into private school. If they opt for a state school, they

pocket the difference, "and Streatham schools get rave reviews. A new

primary, Broomwood Hall, is reported to be oversubscribed," he says.

Buyers in the quarter-to-half-million pound category gravitate toward

the Telford Park Estate, the section of Streatham closest to Clapham

Park. "This area has a large number of three-storey Victorian semi-

detached houses built by an eminent architect," says Mr Harrington. To

its south, "any of the roads which lead from Tooting Bec Common have

well-presented if slightly cheaper four, five and six-bedroom Victorian

and Edwardian houses."

On a street atlas, Sunnyhill and Wellfield Roads look like many another

SW2 thoroughfare, but Mr Harrington notes that "this is Streatham

Village, full of pretty two and three-bedroom cottages which were built

for railway workers and artisans between 1820-1900. Some cottages now

have preservation orders on them."

Further south, Streatham Common has properties which "include three-

bedroom Edwardian, 1930s modern, and very grand five and six-bedroom

Victorian and Edwardian. None of these roads can be used as a rat run,

so they are always quiet," Mr Harrington explains.

To the East is Streatham Vale, which has limited shopping, incredibly

busy roads, tired houses and prices which reflect all of the above.

************In Ms Horne's opinion, the best value is neither in the

cheapest

(Streatham Vale) nor the priciest (Telford Park Estate) areas: "The Vale

is cheap but they don't go up in value to the same degree. Prices have

already peaked in the area near Balham and Brixton Hill. Streatham

Common has nice houses and hasn't yet peaked." Large ex-council houses

are also available on the roads east of Streatham Hill.

*********************

ROBERT LIEBMAN

THE LOW-DOWN

Prices:

For houses, prices decline as you move south, from £600,000+ in

Streatham Hill/Telford Park Estate, to half that in Streatham Common.

Cottages in Streatham Village sell for £105-145,00, and prices are lower

still in Streatham Vale. Flats cost roughly £35-40,000 for a studio,

£55-75,000 for one bedroom, and £85-135,000 for two bedrooms.

Transport:

The three rail stations are not on the same line and go to different

mainline stations.

Streatham Common, which is the most southerly, is the only one that

serves both Victoria (and Clapham Common) and London Bridge stations.

Streatham station terminates at London Bridge, and Streatham Hill serves

Victoria and, via Thameslink, Blackfriars and Kings Cross. A mile and a

half to the west is Tooting Bec station (Northern Line). There is quick

access to Gatwick Airport and the M25.

New Build:

Try Homes' 38-unit ParkGate has one and two-bedroom flats and three,

four, and five-bedroom houses (starting on £99,950 and £195,000

respectively) on Garrads Road, SW16 opposite Tooting Bec Common. St

James' St James Mews will consist of seven three-storey town houses

(£185,000) on Potter's Lane, SW16.

Gliding and Riding:

Between them, the 36-acre Streatham Common and the much larger Tooting

Bec Common (150 acres) offer swimming in London's largest outdoor pool,

horseback riding, plenty of tennis courts, a bowling green, and The

Rookery.

Wining and Dining:

The High Road has several cinemas and an ice rink; a Holmes Place

leisure centre will open shortly, and decent wine bars and restaurants

can't be far behind. "Streatham is a buzzy place for a London suburb,"

says Ms Horne.

Council Tax:

Lambeth Band A is £431, Band H is 1,294.

Estate Agents:

FPD Savills (ParkGate) 0181 769 3939; Townends 0181 769 9911; Winkworth

0181 769 6699.