District Information

Blaby District, situated in the South West of the County of Leicestershire, covers an area of approximately 50 square miles (13,000 hectares). The District offers a diverse mix of urban and rural environments, the latter more pronounced towards the south and reflecting the District's heritage based upon agriculture and local cottage based industries. There is no principal town serving the district but there are 24 parishes varying in population from 32 residents to 14, 038 residents.

Both the M1 and M69 motorways run through the District, meeting at Junction 21 towards the north of the District, providing access to key transportation routes and a factor in the District's economic success. Major cities such as Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Coventry and Birmingham are within easy reach, whilst London is just 2 hours drive away.

Blaby District has experienced significant housing development since the 1960s, but particularly in the last 20 years there has been a large growth in its resident population, now amounting to some 91,600 people (2003 mid year estimate), and in its economic base with the development of new business and retail parks concentrated close to Junction 21 of the M1. Indeed Blaby District is now one of the prime locations for manufacturing, distribution and office growth in the County, centred on Meridian Business Park, Grove Park, Carlton Park, and Warrens Industrial Park. Shopping is well represented by the prestigious Fosse Retail Park, the most successful development of its kind in the country. The District is home to a number of major national and regional companies including Wimpey Homes, Everards Brewery, Alstec (formerly Alstom Automation), Alliance & Leicester, Aggregate Industries and NEXT plc. In addition, there are a number of public sector organisations including Leicestershire County Council and the Headquarters of all three emergency services: Leicestershire Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service.

A wide range of housing is available in the District, approximately 90% of which are owner-occupied. A number of large new housing estates have been completed in recent years and others are under construction.

The District has a wide range of leisure facilities including two leisure centres, six golf courses, a National Diving Centre at Stoney Cove and a Jet Ski Centre, as well as nature parks at Fosse Meadows and Bouskell Park in Blaby. Meridian Leisure Park, near Junction 21 of the M1, is a popular attraction with a multi-screen cinema, bowling alley, fitness centre and numerous restaurants.

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The overall population of the District shows a continuous growth. The latest estimate is 91,600 (2003 mid year estimate). The overall population is forecast to continue growing in the period to 2016 to between 95,600 – 98,600.

The ethnic minority population is 5.9% (2001 Census of population). Braunstone Town, Leicester Forest East and Glenfield contain the hightest proportion of black and ethnic minority residents.

The resident population is relatively affluent, with high levels of employment and with professional, managerial and skilled occupations strongly represented in the workforce. Recent major growth in employment has led to a more balanced position in terms of commuter flows into and out of the District. For the last 3 years Blaby District's unemployment rate has fluctuated within the relatively narrow range of 1.5% to 2.2%.

The total number of residential dwellings in the District is 37,681 (Blaby District Council valuation list, 2005).

Settlements in the District

map of district

Glenfield
Leicester Forest East
Kirby Muxloe
Leicester Forest West
Lubbesthorpe
Braunstone Town
Thorpe Astley (within Parish of Braunstone Town)
Thurlaston
Enderby
Huncote
Narborough
Glen Parva
Blaby
Countesthorpe
Kilby
Whetstone
Cosby
Croft
Potters Marston
Stoney Stanton
Elmesthorpe
Sapcote
Aston Flamville
Sharnford
Wigston Parva

Further information can be obtained from the 2001 Census

View images from around the district.