Nottinghamshire
Main towns: The population lives mainly in the Greater Nottingham area, and the other main towns of Mansfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Newark, Worksop and Retford.
Demographics: There are three distinct areas in the County: the relatively affluent region around Nottingham city; the towns and villages in the north and west still affected by the demise of the coal industry and with relatively high levels of deprivation, and the predominantly rural remainder of the county to the south and east with scattered prosperous market towns and villages.
The City of Nottingham has been a separate unitary authority since 1998, with the rest of the county receiving local government services from Nottinghamshire County Council and seven district or borough councils.
In the county area, the elderly population is projected to increase significantly over the next 20 years, especially in the over-85 age group. Ethnic diversity is relatively low for the region at just under 3 per cent, with the largest group being from the Indian community. Some increases in the numbers of migrant workers and asylum
seekers are starting to impact on communities and the delivery of services.
There has been a steady improvement in levels of deprivation against the national picture, but areas of deep-seated deprivation remain in certain parts of the county particularly in the former coalfield areas. Parts of Mansfield and Ashfield are within the 10 per cent most deprived when compared nationally.
A need for 100,000 extra homes over the next 20 years is projected, with many difficult decisions anticipated over locations and the provision of infrastructure.
In Nottingham City Council black and minority ethnic groups make up 13 per cent of the population. The population has a high proportion of young people, with 20.5 per cent under the age of 14 and 18 per cent between the ages of 15 and 24. There are approximately 30,000 students of which about 22,000 live in the
city during term-time. The overall population is increasing rapidly.
Population: The County has a population of around 770,000 people, with an additional 288,700 living in the Nottingham City area.
Places of Interest: Nottinghamshire has a past associated with legend and castles.
Best known for Sherwood Forest, Nottingham Castle is situated high on the city skyline. The original was burned down in the English Civil War, leaving only the medieval gatehouse.
The Caves of Nottingham offer a chance to explore the tannery, air raid shelter and Victorian slum. Other places of interest include Rufford Country Park and Cresswell Crags.
House/Flat Prices: The average property price in Nottinghamshire today is £140,800. The average price five years ago, in 2004, was £125,000.
Planning issues: Planning permission has been granted for a £90 million energy recovery facility (ERF) to be developed in the north of the county.
Waste management firm Veolia Environmental Services will construct the 180,000 tonne-a-year capacity facility at the Rufford Colliery near Rainworth.
The 13 MW facility, which Veolia claims will generate enough energy to power 15,000 homes, is expected to be operational by 2011 and will treat residual waste once recyclable and compostable material has been removed.