South Northamptonshire is a mainly rural district with a growing population of about 88,800 people with 35,168 households. This is expected to increase to 91,900 people by 2012. Between 2001 and 2006, South Northamptonshire had the third largest percentage population growth in the country. The district covers a large area of 250 square miles, with 96 villages and 78 parishes. There are two historic market towns - Brackley (with 13,450 people) and Towcester (with 9,500). 62.7 percent of the population of the district is of working age.

Growth

We estimate around 5,000 new homes will be built in the district between now and 2021, with 2,500 to 3,000 of those envisaged for Towcester. The Highways Agency have already identified capacity issues for the A43. This level of development will only be possible if all the right infrastructure is built to support it including an A5 bypass for Towcester, and new employment opportunities are provided.

The Government has identified the areas covered by Towcester, Daventry and Northampton as important areas for growth that will attract new investment from the private and public sectors. Parliament set up the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) in 2004 to make sure the three towns develop in the long-term, making them better places to live, work and invest in.

Employment

The district has always had a high employment rate. We currently have the highest employment rate in the country at 90.1 percent of the population in employment, although many people (around 47 percent) currently leave the district to work in other places. This means it is essential to expand suitable local employment opportunities. The good road and rail links make it easy to travel to work in Northampton , Milton Keynes, Birmingham , Oxford and London . 75 percent of people who work, travel to work by car. There are a number of major employers in the district, although many people work outside the district. Silverstone Circuit is at the centre of an internationally important group of high-technology motor-sport industries, which includes household names like Honda and Force India Racing Teams. There are also several technology companies, like Radstone Technology and Variohm, with an international reputation for research and development. Other large businesses in the district include Direct Legal and Collection, De Boers and Bronnley.

The British Grand Prix, canal network, stately homes, Towcester Racecourse and other cultural attractions mean that there is a considerable tourist industry. There is still a strong farming heritage but there is pressure on many farmers to look for other business opportunities. The British Grand Prix generates more than £34 million in visitor spend and results in more than 400 equivalent full time jobs in the surrounding area. South Northamptonshire Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council and Silverstone Circuits are currently developing a masterplan for acceptable development in the area to ensure the circuit remains at the forefront of motor racing.

There are far more 35 to 59 year-olds (39 percent) in the district than the UK average and considerably fewer 20 to 29 year-olds (15 percent). This is because of a lack of appropriate jobs for young people and the high cost of housing in the district (the average house price in 2006 was £231,624 in this area compared to £169,709 for Northamptonshire as a whole) and shows there is a growing need for more affordable homes. There are 35,168 households within the district and 79 per cent of residents own their own home.

Population

Only 1.6 per cent of the district's population is from minority ethnic groups, of which the largest is Indian at 0.3 per cent.

Although the district is one of the least deprived in the country, being ranked 344 out of 354 on the scale of deprivation, there are small areas of deprivation. A total of 75 per cent of residents living in villages and hamlets do not have access to important local services such as a shop or doctor.

The overall health of the population is the best within the East Midlands . In 2001, 12.9 per cent of the population of South Northamptonshire had a limiting long-term illness and 26.2 per cent of households had one or more persons with such an illness. 

Overall, crime rates are low and in the 2006 user satisfaction survey, 80 percent of people said they felt safe outside in the daytime and 41 per cent felt safe outside after dark.

Innovation Centre, Silverstone

Racing at Towcester

Stoke Bruerne

A strong farming heritage

Overall health of the population is the best within the East Midlands

South Northants enjoys a high rate of employment

How much growth?

2001 actual number of occupied households

2001 to 2021* growth in new homes

% growth

Aylesbury Vale

64,500

15,000

23 %

Bedford, Kempston, North Marston Vale

108,200

19,500

18 %

Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough

118,000

34,100

29 %

Luton , Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Leighton, Linslade

116,500

26,300

23 %

Milton Keynes

83,400

44,900

54 %

Northampton

80,800

30,000

37 %

Totals

571,400

169,800

30 %