2. Markfield Profile

Markfield Parish Neighbourhood Plan: Referendum Version

2. Markfield Profile

2.1. Markfield village was recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086 and known as Merchenefeld in Anglo-Saxon times. It is one of the highest villages in Leicestershire, being sited up against Markfield Knoll (known locally as Hill Hole). Despite occupying an elevated location the village is well hidden. 2.2. Outcrops of rock together with granite cottages and boundary walls are the key aspects of the village landscape. 2.3. Markfield in the 17th and early 18th century was essentially an agricultural community providing much work for farmers, yeomen, husbandmen, graziers and labourers. By 1800 Markfield had a population of around 600 residents and it had been transformed into an industrial community with over 100 knitting frames in operation. By 1813 there were 99 houses in the village of which 11 had a stable. Markfield’s population grew slowly and by 1891 had 1439 residents. The village then grew to meet the needs of successive forms of industrial employment in the 19th century including quarrying and mining. 2.4. As with many villages, the speed of development has increased significantly, with much new housing developed over the last fifty to sixty years. Many residents now commute to work and travel to shop and leisure activities, using the M1, M69, A511 and A50. 2.5. There were 4,454 residents in the Parish at the time of the 2011 Census. The average age was 46 years compared with 41.7 years in Hinckley and Bosworth Borough. 2.6. The 2011 Census showed there to be 2,101 dwellings in the Parish. Council Tax records show this to have grown to be around 2,200 now. 2.7. There were 1,590 residents aged 16 to 74 in Markfield (2011 Census), 75.3% were economically active and 17.6% had retired.