Watford Rural

Watford Rural is a civil parish in the Three Rivers District of Hertfordshire, England. Located approximately 14 miles (23 km) northwest of central London and adjacent to the Greater London boundary, it is an urbanised parish characterised by suburban residential development. The local council is Watford Rural Parish Council. The parish covers South Oxhey and Carpenders Park, which although part of the Watford urban area, are outside the borough of Watford. The parish was created in 1894 when the ancient Watford parish was split into urban and rural parishes. At the 2001 census it had a population of 20,250.

Watford Rural
Watford Rural
Location within Hertfordshire
Area3.15 sq mi (8.2 km2)
Population20,250 (2001 Census)
• Density6,429/sq mi (2,482/km2)
OS grid referenceTQ116931
• London14 mi (23 km) SE
Civil parish
  • Watford Rural
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townWATFORD
Postcode districtWD19
Dialling code020
01923
PoliceHertfordshire
FireHertfordshire
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament
WebsiteWatford Rural Parish Council

History

The parish was formed in 1894 from part of the ancient parish of Watford, which was subdivided to form new civil parishes of Watford Rural and Watford Urban.[1] It was part of Watford Rural District from 1894 (which covered a larger area). The parish was part of the review area of the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London, however it did not form part of the proposed Greater London area because it was felt the parish and southern Hertfordshire looked to Watford more than to London.[2] It then became part of Three Rivers district in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972.

Government

The local council is Watford Rural Parish Council. The parish council offices are located on Oxhey Drive. The parish has fourteen councillors. It is divided into the five wards of Ashridge (electing 2 councillors), Carpenders Park (3 councillors), Hayling (3 councillors), Northwick (3 councillors) and Oxhey Hall (3 councillors). The parish clerk is G. Williams.

Geography

The civil parish is 816 hectares (3.15 sq mi). It is located approximately 14 miles (23 km) northwest of central London and is adjacent to the Greater London boundary to the south. It is predominantly urbanised, with residential development. There is parkland, woodland and some farmland throughout the parish and especially towards the northwest, falling within the Metropolitan Green Belt. The parish includes the settlements of Carpenders Park and South Oxhey. The London—Watford railway line divides the settlements, with Carpenders Park in the east and South Oxhey to the west. For postal addresses, the parish is within the WD19 postcode district of the Watford post town.

Demography

Despite its name it is largely urbanised, with a population of 20,250 according to the 2001 census.

References
  1. Watford Rural CP through time
  2. Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London: 1957–1960: Report, 1960, HMSO
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.