Lancashire
Main towns: Lancashire refers to the area administered by Lancashire County Council. Blackburn, Darwen and Blackpool are unitary authorities. The twelve districts of Lancashire are Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, South Ribble, Rossendale, West Lancashire and Wyre.
Demographics: Located in the North West of the country, Lancashire is England’s fourth biggest local authority, covering almost 3,000 square kilometres. It is also one of the most diverse counties in the country.
Lancashire has an aging population. Over the next 20 years it is expected that the number of Lancashire residents aged fifty and over will increase from 36% of the population to 44%. Average life expectancy in Lancashire is 80 years old for women and 76 for men. This is higher than the North West average, but life expectancy does vary significantly in different wards across the county, the lowest being 74 for females and 70 for males.
The county has a black or minority ethnic population of 5%. The majority of this 5% is composed of residents from Indian and Pakistani backgrounds. The Asian community is situated largely in the east of the county and in Preston. In recent years the county has seen a significant rise in the number of Eastern European migrant workers settling in the area. This migrant worker population is particularly concentrated in Lancaster and Preston.
Although the county is becoming more prosperous, it is doing so at a slower rate than much of the rest of the country. Lancashire’s economy currently generates roughly the same wealth as Merseyside and accounts for approximately 20% of the wealth in the whole of the North West. The west of the county has traditionally been reliant on tourism and agriculture, while the east has been reliant on its textile industry. The tourism sector is varied, including large areas of coastline, upland areas and historic market towns.
The county houses around 40,000 businesses, which provide approximately half a million jobs. Lancashire has the largest concentration of advanced manufacturing employment in the north. Industries include aerospace, electronics, optical equipment and environmental technology.
However, parts of Lancashire’s economy suffer from a low wage and a low skill base. Four districts in the county – Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Preston – rank amongst the country’s most deprived areas. There are also significant pockets of deprivation elsewhere within the county.
Population: Lancashire has an estimated population of 1.45million people. However, this is expected to rise by almost 10% by the year 2028. The majority of the population lives in urban areas but there are a number of small towns and villages in rural Lancashire, which houses almost 20% of the population.
Places of Interest: The west of the county boasts large areas of coastline and coastal plains while the east offers Pennine landscapes. The Pennines are particularly popular amongst mountain bikers. The east also includes the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The city of Lancaster offers a metropolitan lifestyle as well as a handful of historic landmarks such as Lancaster Castle and Lancaster Cathedral.
House/Flat Prices: There is a high demand for houses in the central and western areas of the county due to growth. High demand and a lack of affordable housing make this a particular issue in rural areas. The average price of a property in Lancashire today, including houses and flats, is £190,000. The average price five years ago, in February 2004, was £100,000.
Planning issues: West Lancashire is earmarked for significant development works in the coming years. West Lancashire District Council’s ‘Local Plan’ describes its aim to erect almost 2000 new houses by the year 2016. Areas of particular focus will be Ormskirk and Burscough town centres.
Another area set to undergo large scale regeneration is Skelmersdale, including its town centre. Plans include the provision of new employment, provision of new educational facilities, community facilities and new houses. It will also include new footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways as well as better access to public transport.