| Wootton | |
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Wootton
Wootton shown within Bedfordshire |
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| Population | 4,230 (2001 census) |
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| OS grid reference | TL005455 |
| Unitary authority | Bedford |
| Ceremonial county | Bedfordshire |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BEDFORD |
| Postcode district | MK43 |
| Dialling code | 01234 |
| Police | Bedfordshire |
| Fire | Bedfordshire and Luton |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Mid Bedfordshire |
| List of places: UK • England • Bedfordshire | |
Wootton (grid reference TL005455) is a large village and civil parish located to the south-west of Bedford, in the north of Bedfordshire, England. The parish also includes the hamlets of Hall End, Keeley Green and Wootton Green.
Wootton has had a long association with brickmaking, but is now mainly a dormitory community for Bedford and Milton Keynes. In the 18th century church bells were made here for several churches in Bedfordshire and adjoining counties.[1] There has been a great deal of residential development over the last 30 years but some attractive old timber-framed houses still survive. The church is mainly 14th century but contains two fine monuments in the chancel to members of the Monoux family who died in 1685 and 1707. To the west of the church is Wootton House, an impressive late 17th century house with a contemporary, red brick stable block.
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The Domesday Book of 1086, listed Wootton as having 26 residents (20 villagers and six slaves) across ten hides.[2] By 1901, the population had risen to 1,252. The population remained fairly steady throughout the first half of the 20th century. But by 1971, the population had climbed to 2,386, a 35.61% (1010 residents) increase within ten years.[3]
According to the 2001 Census, the area covered by Wootton civil parish had 4,230 residents who lived in 1,643 households. The median age of the population is 39. Of these residents, 74% describe their health as good and 1.78% of economically active people aged 16–74 were unemployed.[4]
Wootton is currently undergoing many plans to expand the village, with the eventual hope of joining it with Cranfield and as far afield as Milton Keynes. A voluntary group of people living in the Wootton area who strongly oppose these plans have created a group known as the Wootton Against Village Expansion (aka WAVE). They are against any plans of the proposed mass development of new housing within the village.[5]
Housing plans include:[6]