Billesley, West Midlands

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Billesley is a ward within the formal district and constituency of Selly Oak, Birmingham, England. It is seven kilometres south of the city centre and includes the areas Billesley, Highters Heath, Maypole (part), Warstock and Yardley Wood.

The expansion of the area began in 1921 with the commencement of construction of the Billesley Estates. Two districts began to form within Billesley; one on the former Ivy House Farm and the other on the former Billesley Farm. By 1926, between 15 to 20 families were moving into Billesley each week and it became one of the Birmingham's first council estates.

1 Etymology
2 Population
3 Politics
4 Local facilities
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Etymology

The name derives from an Anglo-Saxon named Bill who established himself within the area. -Ley means "woodland clearing" and a woodland clearing is known to have existed in Billesley north of Chinn Brook.

[edit] Population

The 2001 Population Census found that 26,974 people were living in the area with a population density of 4,537 people per km² compared with 3,649 people per km² for Birmingham. Billesley has an area of 6.4 km². Billesley is not an ethnically diverse area with ethnic minorities representing 12.3% (3,312) of the ward's population compared with 29.6% for Birmingham.

The majority of housing is either inter-war or post-war build.

[edit] Politics

The area is served by two Conservative and one Labour councillor; Susan Axford (Con), Len Gregory (Con) and Susan Burfoot (Lab).

Billesley has adopted a Ward Support Officer with the current holder of the title being Saima Ali.

[edit] Local facilities

The area is served by Billesley Indoor Tennis Centre, Annex Youth Centre (also shared by Trittiford Centre for adult education), Swanshurt Community Leisure Centre, Chinnbrook Play Centre and Yardley Wood Library.

Billesley School, in Trittiford Road, was opened in 1925.