County which just keeps growing

by Nic Rigby
BBC News Interactive, Northampton

The area was a centre for the shoe industry (Pic: Shoe Collection, Northampton Borough Council)

Northamptonshire has seen a huge growth over the past 20 years according to the BBC Changing UK study.

The population increased by 26% between 1981 and 2006 from 524,000 to 670,000 - the second highest county population rise across the UK in the survey.

The study found that it had a comparably small number of pensioners compared to other counties and a high number of children aged under five.

The county is helped by good road and rail links to London.

John Gardner, 78, a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire who has lived in Northampton all his life, has first hand knowledge of the expansion.

He worked in the shoe industry, for many years the major employer of Northampton, and was involved in meeting the challenges of expansion in his role as chairman of Northamptonshire County Council.

The issue that concerns me the most is the infrastructure that is required Ben Smith, Northamptonshire County Council

"It all started in the early 1970s when Northampton became an overspill from London and the government said, 'you are the right sort of town that needs expansion'.

"Northampton moved from 75,000 to 206,000 residents," said Mr Gardner.

He said the county had grown because of its location in the centre of the country, close to London.

"It also had thriving industries like British Timken - a roller bearing factory which at its height employed 4,000 workers and closed in 2002 - and Express Lifts and Avon Cosmetics," said Mr Gardner.

Housing 'resentment'

"There were plenty of jobs and a large amount of building. It was very difficult for the county council.

"The government says the area is right for expansion and gives the money to build the houses, but then you need two more new fire stations.

"We had to find the money. We have always complained as it is expanding we were not receiving the amount of money we should have been getting."

He said at first there had been some resentment by young Northampton residents seeking a home when the new council properties were allocated to London overspill families.

Northamptonshire's population has grown by 26% in 20 years

Councillor Ben Smith, deputy leader of Northamptonshire County Council, said: "The issue that concerns me the most is the infrastructure that is required.

"We have all this proposed housing and not enough thought with regards to infrastructure."

He said he was concerned about the piecemeal nature of various funding schemes.

Roger Mendonca, acting chief executive of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, said: "We have to make sure this growth is supported, not only homes but jobs allocation and health facilities."