Battersea is a residential district of south London in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is 2.9 miles south west of Charing Cross. The district has one of southwest London’s principal parks, Battersea Park.
In 2001, Battersea had a population of 75,651, but by 2011 the number stood at 73,345, noting a small reduction. There is a significant area of public housing estates constructed in the mid-20th century, nearly all situated north of the main railway lines from Fairfield to Queenstown. There are 4 substantially large estates; Surrey Lane Estate to the north, Doddington and Rollo Estate, Patmore Estate towards the east along with the Winstanley Estate, that is known for being the birthplace of the garage collective So Solid Crew.
There are a number of notable landmarks in Battersea, one of that is the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Before that, the Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs was based in Battersea soon after moving from Holloway in 1871. Other landmarks consist of the New Covent Garden Market, a significant fruit and vegetable wholesale market place, and also the now disused Battersea Power Station which was constructed between 1929 and 1939. There have already been many redevelopment projects since the 1980s to transform the station into an entertainment and commercial centre, but up to now all attempts have failed.