Stockton Heath

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 53.3732
longitude= -2.5794
official_name= Stockton Heath
map_type= Cheshire
population = 6,396
unitary_england= Warrington
lieutenancy_england= Cheshire
region= North West England
constituency_westminster= Warrington South
post_town= WARRINGTON
postcode_district = WA4
postcode_area= WA
dial_code= 01925
os_grid_reference= SJ614864 Stockton Heath is a village, civil parish and electorial ward located within the unitary borough of Warrington, in Cheshire, England. It is to the north of the Bridgewater Canal and to the south of the Manchester Ship Canal which divides Stockton Heath from Latchford and north Warrington and has a total resident population of 6,396.cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadAreaSearch.do?a=7&c=latchford&d=14&i=1001&m=0&enc=1&areaSearchText=stockton+heath&areaSearchType=16&extendedList=true |title=Stockton Heath CP (Parish) |author= United Kingdom Census 2001 |publisher=neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk |accessdate=2007-06-14]

Victoria Square is at the very centre of the village and is on the crossroads of the A49 and A56. Until the 1970s, the Victoria Hotel stood on this square but its location has been redeveloped. North of the square is the main shopping area which includes The Forge Shopping Centre, developed on the site of the old forge (Caldwells). The village centre is home to a number of modern bars and restaurants, as well as traditional public houses. The Red Lion Inn dates back to the early 1800s and the Mulberry Tree, on Victoria Square, looks Victorian.

Since 1988, much of the centre of Stockton Heath village has been designated a conservation area to preserve its character - see http://www.warrington.gov.uk/Images/11_St_Heath_tcm31-3129.pdf - but at the same time, there has been redevelopment work with several new bars and restaurants moving into the village centre.

History

A Roman Road ran through Stockton Heath, along the route now known (appropriately) as Roman Road. There have been some excavations, more information is available at Warrington Museum.

chools

The LEA Primary School is to be demolished, despite a strong campaign to retain it, and a new school has already been built. There is also a C of E Primary School.

Fishing

Ackers Pit and the Bridgewater Canal are the main options.

Geography and administration

On the south side of the Manchester Ship Canal, Stockton Heath adjoins Appleton, Grappenhall and Walton.

It typically takes between seven and ten minutes on the buscite web | url = http://www.warringtonboroughtransport.co.uk/new/tables_pdf/06%2007%20TT.pdf | title = Bus times from Stockton Heath] and about twenty-five to thirty-five minutes on foot to reach Warrington town centre.

Political representation

Stockton Heath forms part of the Warrington South parliamentary constituency which is represented in the House of Commons by Helen Southworth MP.

Stockton Heath is a multi-member ward within Warrington borough. It is served by two councillors, currently Celia Jordan and Sue Dodd, both of whom are representatives of the Liberal Democrat Party. At the most recent borough elections, Councillor Jordan was re-elected, with 48% of the votes cast.

Stockton Heath is also served by a Parish Council, comprising seventeen members, including two borough councillors. Part of its responsibility is to facilitate dialogue with Warrington Borough Council.

Demographics

Data is based on that of Stockton Heath Ward [http://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/Stockton%20Heath%20Ward_tcm15-9946.pdf]

Population

*Total Population: 6,420 residents
*Male:Female ratio: 48.9%:51.1%
*Average age of population: 39.9 years

Ethnicity Breakdown

*99.1% White
*0.5% Mixed
*0.1% Black
*0.3% Asian
*0.1% Other

Housing and Social situation

Housing Situation

*Households: 2,700
**84.9% are owner occupied
**6.9% are socially rented (i.e. Council Accommodation)
**6.7% are privately rented
**1.4% are rent free
*Average House Price: £205,931

ocial Situation

*Population Density: 45.2 residents per hectare
*46.4% of residents say this ward is a "comfortably well-off" area (based on ACORN index)
*2.9% of residents are on some form of benefits.
*3.0% of households are classed as overcrowded.

Employment and Education

Employment

*67.9% are employed.
*2.2% are unemployed.
*1.7% are students.
*28.2% are classed as "economically inactive".

Education

*16.9% have No Qualifications whatsoever.
*42.9% have only level 1 or 2 qualifications.
*33.0% have level 3 qualifications or higher.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.stocktonheath.co.uk/ A Website about Stockton Heath]