Leicestershire
Main towns: Leicestershire refers to the area administered by Leicestershire County Council. The districts of Leicestershire are North West Leicestershire, Charnwood, Melton, Leicester, Hinckley & Bosworth, Blaby, Oadby & Wigston and Harborough.
Demographics: Leicestershire has an aging population. The number of people aged 50 and over is expected to rise significantly by the year 2029 whilst the proportion of the populated aged between 25 and 44 is expected to drop during the same period. The population of Leicestershire has a higher life expectancy than the national average and the population is generally healthier than the national average as well. However, binge drinking in the county exceeds the national average.
The county’s proportion of ‘economically inactive’ people is lower than the regional and national averages and has more homeowners than the national average as well.
Leicestershire has a black or minority ethnic population of approximately 7%. The majority of the county’s ethnic population is composed of residents from Asian or Asian British backgrounds, with the figure standing at 4.4%. There is a significant number of white minority groups as well such as Irish, Eastern European, gypsies, travellers, refugees and asylum seekers. The number of minority ethnic residents moving into Leicester coupled with the number of existing residents who are migrating away from the county has led to a far more ethnically diverse community.
On a list of the 149 most deprived metropolitan, county and unitary authorities in England, Leicestershire ranked at number 139, meaning that the area is fairly prosperous.
However, whilst most of the area is affluent, there are small pockets of deprivation. The economy of Leicestershire is thriving. Predominant industries are distribution, hotels, restaurants, manufacturing, public administration, education and health.
Significant growth is expected in the communication and business sectors.
Population: Leicestershire has an estimated population of 933,000 people. The population has been growing steadily for some years. The city of Leicester is considered to be the county’s ‘principal urban area’ and the other main centres of population are Loughborough, with an estimated population of 56,570 people, Hinckley, with an estimated population of 38,620 people and Coalville, with an estimated population of 32,030. Approximately one third of the county’s ‘economically active’ population lives in settlements classed as ‘rural’.
Places of Interest: Located in the East Midlands, Leicestershire is described as having an environment of contrasts. The east of the county is largely rural, home to many small market towns and villages, whilst the west and the north are far more urban. 80% if land in the county is classed as ‘farmed’. Charnwood Forest is a distinctive and important landscape and the north west of the county falls within the National Forest area.
Loughborough, the county’s biggest town, is in the middle of the Three Cities area and also boasts an internationally renowned university.
House/Flat Prices: The average price of a property in Leicestershire today, including houses and flats, is £210,000. The average price five years ago, in February 2004, was £145,000.
Planning issues: Leicestershire County Council is currently considering plans for a brand new eco-town in Pennbury, south east of Leicester, near Stoughton village. The development would see 15,000 new homes built on 600 hectares of land. Of these, 4,500 would be considered ‘affordable houses’. The houses would all be built to meet high environmental standards.
The developers, The Co-operative Group, say that jobs, schools, shops, health facilities, parks and leisure facilities would all be provided by the development. The town would be designed to encourage walking and cycling but would also offer good links to public transport.
Residents are currently being urged to give their opinions on the proposed development via the council website.