Leigh Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Leigh Park | |
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| Population | Approx 27,500 |
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| OS grid reference | |
| District | Havant |
| Shire county | Hampshire |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Havant |
| Postcode district | PO9 |
| Dial code | (023) 92 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Hampshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| UK Parliament | Havant & East Hampshire |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| List of places: UK • England • Hampshire | |
Leigh Park is a large suburb (population 27,500) of Havant, in Hampshire, England. It has four electoral wards: Battins, Bondfields, Barncroft and Warren Park (generally referred to as 'The Warren').
Staunton Country Park lies on the northern edge of Leigh Park, also within the Havant boundary.
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[edit] History
Leigh Park was created as an overspill suburb for those made homeless in Portsmouth by bomb damage which occurred during World War II. The land for the estate was purchased by Portsmouth City Council from George Staunton in 1944; work started on building in 1947 and the first residents moved in in 1949. The first shops opened in 1952 (in Stone square) and Park Parade, Greywell Shopping Centre which is Greywell Road (usually referred to as just Park Parade), the main shopping area in Leigh Park, opened in 1955.
The majority of homes in Leigh Park were built by Portsmouth City Council, not Havant Borough Council, despite it being located within Havant's district boundary. Most Leigh Park tenants living in Council housing pay rent to Portsmouth City Council and Hermitage Housing, not to Havant Borough Council; nevertheless, residents still pay council tax to Havant as the provider of local services. New housing continued to be built until the early 1970s. Now Hermitage Housing builds most new housing in Leigh Park. Barratt Homes is currently building on the former Proctor & Gamble site in the centre of Leigh Park. Leigh Park was one of the largest council estates in Europe, although many of the properties are now privately owned.
[edit] Community
Leigh Park has a community centre located near Park Parade. And recently opened in Greywell Shopping Centre is Pride Of Place which is a community based project.
[edit] Transport
The main shopping precinct is served by Stagecoach Bus Routes 21, 23, 37 and 39. Local operator Emsworth & District Bus Route 27 which runs through the estate on a service between Horndean, Havant and Southbourne and First Group Bus routes 63 and 145
On Fridays and Saturday night there is night bus service N23 which operates between Southsea and Leigh Park.
[edit] Sport
The suburb's main non-league football side is Havant & Waterlooville FC. The street High Lawn Way just beyond the Crown Bingo Hall also offshoots onto a Bowls club, 2 tennis courts and a Common playing fields and children's play area.
[edit] Politics
The suburb is within the Borough of Havant and includes the Battins, Bondfields, Barncroft and Warren Park wards.
Leigh Park is served by the Havant MP David Willetts, a Conservative.
[edit] Education
Leigh Park contains several primary schools: Front Lawn, Trosnant, Riders, Sharps Copse, Barncroft School and St Albans.
Leigh Park contains 2 Secondary schools:Staunton Community Sports College (formerly Staunton Park School) and Park Community School
There is one Six Form College, Havant College, located on the periphary of Leigh Park, near to Havant town centre and Railway Station.
