Kibworth

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St. Wilfrid's Church

Kibworth Harcourt (IPA: [kɪbwɜːθ hɑːkɔːt]) and Kibworth Beauchamp (IPA: [kɪbwɜːθ biːtʃʌm]) are two villages in Leicestershire, south east of Leicester. The villages make up a single urban area and are often considered as one. They are split by the A6. The Midland Main Line runs through the settlement. Kibworth railway station closed in 1968.

Kibworth has many shops and a post office, and over the last five years many new shops have appeared, including a new branch of Co-op UK. There have also been many new houses built on the edge of the village, and there are plans for 610 more to be built by 2012. The local Cricket club won the National Club Cricket Championship in 2004.

Kibworth is close to Foxton Locks, Market Harborough, and Leicester.

Kibworth Harcourt and Beauchamp are separate civil parishes. Beauchamp is the larger, with 3,798 people (2001 census), compared to Harcourt's 990.

Construction has recently commenced for 659 houses, with provision for an upgraded access road, and integration with the local public utilities (as of September 2007). The land being built on is adjacent to the western edge of the small town, and was formerly used for agriculture. These houses are predominantly being built by David Wilson Homes, and constitute a significant part of the houses required for the district, as specified in the Local Plan. The controversial project will lead to a significant expansion of the settlement, in addition to other small construction projects that have been built. The project has been generating concern among local residents, councillors, and planning officials, during public consultation events, with particular concern from local residents that existing facilities are not going to be able to cater for the increased demand, and also the potential threat to the pleasant rural culture that has made the town a popular and aspiring place to live.