East London in particular had traditional industries connected to the docks and from north to south there were industrial estates where the factory whistle marked time even in the late 20th century.

Now any factories and workshops that haven’t already been converted into flats are gradually being swept away to provide sites for new homes.

It’s a reflection of how much life has changed in the capital during the 21st century, where almost every job is now office-based.

One of the latest new developments is Weavers Quarter, in the heart of Barking in east London.

The name of the 221-home development refers to Barking Jute Works, which opened in 1866 beside the River Roding and was mainly staffed by Scottish workers from Dundee who had experience of working with jute. Barking Jute Works, also known as the Abbey Works, was among the largest factories ever built in the UK but it closed in 1891.

Now the site is being developed by L&Q and will be its biggest shared ownership site, with 1,575 new homes eventually available on the former Gascoigne Estate.

Two new schools – a primary and secondary – new public spaces and a new community centre will also be built among the one to four-bedroom homes for sale from £237,500 or £71,250 for a 30 per cent share (0333 234 1153; weaversquarter.co.uk). The homes will feature fitted kitchens and bathrooms, with kitchen appliances and fully carpeted bedrooms. 

Each apartment will also have a private outdoor area and access to communal gardens.

It’s a 15-minute train journey to the City from Barking station, less than half a mile from Weavers Quarter and Tube trains take 40 minutes to Westminster.

Barking is London’smost affordable borough and is currently undergoing a major regeneration scheme with Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s regeneration company, working with L&Q.

Be First managing director Pat Hayes says: “These shared ownership homes are the first of the tens of thousands of new, high-quality, affordable homes Be First will be helping to deliver in the borough.” Around £300million is being invested in Barking and its town centre, with the aim of creating jobs and opportunities for locals.

Meanwhile in south east London the former Dylon textiles dyeing factory in Lower Sydenham is being transformed into 223 homes.

The 1930s-built buildings have been replaced by a mixed-use development of homes, cafés and shops aimed at first-time buyers.

The first residents have already moved in to the Crest Nicholson development, including Matt Holland and Scott Jones – a dancer and actor – who used the London Help To Buy scheme for their £384,995 one-bedroom flat. Buyers need just a five per cent deposit to apply for an equity loan of up to 40 per cent of the property price using London Help To Buy, and Matt says: “The scheme was a huge help for us, we wouldn’t have been able to purchase the flat without it.

“For us, the location was a huge selling point. The development is directly opposite Lower Sydenham station, which has regular trains into central London, so it’s perfect for getting around.”

Their flat has a large private balcony and every apartment has a private underground parking space.

London Bridge is 16 minutes away by train.

Prices start from £349,995 for a one-bedroom apartment, or £209,997 with Help to Buy London (020 3437 1262; crestnicholson.com). And in Hayes, west London, the old EMI factory where Beatles albums such as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band were pressed as well as records by David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Queen.

Now The Old Vinyl Factory, a development of 642 homes, is being built on the site by build-to-rent developer Be:here Hayes (0203 845 4796; behere-hayes.co.uk) to provide apartments available to rent from £1,150 per month.