lympstone, devon - case study

location

small settlement on east bank of River Exe estuary approx 15km south of Exeter

natural characteristics

• occupies small valley cut by Wotton Brook through red breccia cliffs

• extensive tidal mudflats extend into estuary - 1.5km wide at Lympstone

• small beach of pebbles and gravel runs along foot of cliff

past characteristics

• saxons forced out original celtic inhabitants from region

• 13th century one of a no. of small ports operating under administration of Exeter with coastal and cross-channel trading links

• 19th century - shipbuilding thrived

• industry ceased as scale of ships increased, used for fishing and shellfish industry

• 1840s beginning of tourism - wealthy families from Exeter and East Devon

• 1861 arrival of railway improved connectivity over space, time-space compression allowed shellfish industry to access a wider market

• became dormitory settlement for Exeter in 20th century

demographic

• top-heavy age structure (24.6>65yrs old)

• west country relatively homogenous ethically - provided few jobs opps for immigrants in 1960s/70s (98.9% white)

• beginning to change as 2nd and 3rd generation migrants assimilate socially and economically

socio-economic

• ave household size: 2.3 (england = 2.4)

• car availability (% with no access to a car/van): 12.7%

• % aged 16 with no formal qualifications: 14.1%

culture

• based upon christian year - christmas and easter are key times

political

• has parish council with 11 elected people serving on local govt body, various powers and duties all focused on local matters like lighting roads

• part of area that elects 2 district councillors and one county councillor

• parliamentary constituency that includes Lympstone (East Devon) has electorate of 72,000 and returns one MP

built environment

• former low-order shops have closed and have been converted to residences

• some new hosuing constructed, incl large houses on cliff top village’s periphery

• heart of village subject to strict planning rules and local residents protect the architecture

shifting flows of resources and ideas changing local place

• 1/3 of employed residents classified as managers/directors/senior and official or professional occupations

• part of the flow into Exe region of employment in service and knowledge based firms

• met office moved from Reading to Exeter in 2003 - provided strong economic stimulus to region - knowledge based jobs

• tertiary employment - growing HE sector - uni (3000 staff), hospital and regional HQ of many firms and orgs in both services and high-tech firms