Bromsgrove district growing faster than some cities

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THE NUMBER of people living in Bromsgrove district has increased by 5,700 in the last ten years, the latest census information from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows.

According to the figures, Bromsgrove district had a population of 87,900 in 2001, but last year, 2011, there were 93,600 residents.

Bromsgrove district extends from Stoke Prior in the south to Hagley in the north and across to Hollywood and Wythall in the east.

The 6.5 per cent rise is the second highest in the county, behind Redditch, at 6.9 per cent, but a third higher than the county-wide average, which stands at a 4.4 per cent rise.

And, according to the figures, Bromsgrove district is growing at a faster rate than some cities, including Wolverhampton (4.8 per cent), Coventry (5.2 per cent) and Worcester (5.8 per cent).

And the north-south Worcestershire figures also make interesting reading.

The north, including Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, is growing more than two per cent faster than the south, which encompasses Worcester, Wychavon and Malvern Hills.

The response rate of the Census, which took place on March 27 last year, was 96 per cent across Worcestershire, compared to 94 per cent nationally.

It is the most accurate set of information available on the population of England and Wales and is used by Central Government to allocate funding to Local Authorities.

Bromsgrove District Council leader, Coun Roger Hollingworth, said: “The council is not surprised by these figures because for the last six years we have been basing our service calculations on a projected population of 92,000.

“The census has vindicated that projection and the work of the research and intelligence unit at Worcester, which helps with planning ahead.

“As Bromsgrove district was recently highlighted as the seventh most desirable place in the country, it’s no surprise that more people are moving here.

“However, we will have problems if we end up forced to take overspill population and extra housing from other areas, which would lead us into having to make some tough decisions.”

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