Chickerell

Summary

Chickerell is a town and parish in Dorset, England. In the 2011 census the parish and the electoral ward had a population of 5,515.[1]

Chickerell
B3157 road at Chickerell
Chickerell is located in Dorset
Chickerell
Chickerell
Location within Dorset
Population5,515 [1]
OS grid referenceSY643804
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townWEYMOUTH
Postcode districtDT3
Dialling code01305
PoliceDorset
FireDorset and Wiltshire
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Dorset
50°37′26″N 2°30′17″W / 50.624°N 2.5047°W / 50.624; -2.5047

History edit

Although Roman remains have been found, indicating that there has been settlement in the area for many years, as a modern town, Chickerell is recent and one of Dorset's newest towns.[2] Chickerell has seen much development over the last twenty years.

Geography edit

The parish of Chickerell has to the west the Fleet Lagoon, East Fleet and Langton Herring. To the north-west is Portesham, to the east Weymouth, and to the south the Isle of Portland. Chesil Beach runs alongside to the west of the village which is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. A major attraction in Chickerell is the Bennetts Water Gardens which is situated next to Chickerell Downs, a Woodland Trust wood. The Chickerell Rifle Range is also located close to the Fleet Lagoon, and is part of the Wyke Regis Training Area.

Governance edit

Chickerell is a civil parish. Its parish council is Chickerell Town Council.[3] The parish is divided into two wards which contain ten councillors who are elected to the Town Council.[4] For local government elections prior to 2019 which took place every four years, Chickerell returned three councillors for the West Dorset District Council,[5] and one councillor, for the Chickerell & Chesil Bank ward, to Dorset County Council. Chickerell is situated within the West Dorset parliamentary constituency and the Member of Parliament is Chris Loder (Conservative) who was elected with 55.1 per cent of the vote at the 2019 general election.[6]

After 2019 structural changes to local government in England, Chickerell is part of the Chickerell ward which elects 2 members to Dorset Council.[7]

Demography edit

At the 2011 census Chickerell's population was 5,515.[8] Most of the residents (97.4%) considered themselves to be of a white, British ethnicity. Some 18% of the population were under 15, 2.8% were 16 or 17, 25.9% were between 18 and 44, 22.3% were 45 to 59, and the largest proportion (32.3%) were over 60 years of age.[8] The birth rate in Chickerell exceeds the death rate and there is a net inward migration resulting in a steady increase of the population.[9] Chickerell's population has grown considerably since 1960. Between 1961 and 1971 it increased by 43% from 2,300 to 3,300 and has continued to grow ever since, although at a slower rate.[2]

Historical population of Chickerell
Year 1921 1931 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001
Population 1,130 1,320 2,450 2,300 3,300 3,680 4,160 5,280
Source: Census 1921–2001[8]

Economy edit

There are two industrial estates: Granby Industrial Estate and the Lynch Lane Industrial Estate.[8] Blundell Harling Ltd, KEMET Electronics Corp., ASM Assembly Systems Ltd (formerly DEK Printing Machines Ltd), Tecan Components Ltd, Ultra Electronics, Weymouth Land Registry are some of the area's major employers.[8]

Transport edit

The nearest railway station to Chickerell is Weymouth, 2.0 miles (3.2 km) away from the town.[8] The nearest coach station is at Weymouth, the nearest airport is Bournemouth Airport.

The B3157 Chickerell Road connects Chickerell to Weymouth east bound, and Bridport along the coast to the west. This is the only major road in or near the town.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Area: Chickerell (Parish),Key Figures for 2011 Census: Key Statistics". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Chickerell Census Town Profile". Dorset County Council. 2005. p. 2. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Role of the Council". Chickerell Town Council. 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Councillors". Chickerell Town Council. 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  5. ^ "West Dorset District Council election of district councillors". Dorset County Council. 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  6. ^ "Dorset West Parliamentary Constituency results". BBC News. 12 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Area profile for Chickerell - Dorset Council". gi.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Chickerell". Dorset For You. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Chickerell Census Town Profile". Dorset County Council. 2005. p. 6. Retrieved 16 March 2011.

External links edit