Beeston is an area of south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England with a population of about 16,000.[1]
History
Beeston is mentioned as Bestone in the 1086 Domesday Book. Cad Beeston manor house has been dated by dendochronology to about 1420, and is a grade II* listed building; it is used as private offices with no public access. Beeston was one of the chapelries of the ancient parish of Leeds. Beeston was a township and civil parish 1866-1904, then was absorbed into Holbeck civil parish before this was absorbed into Leeds in 1925.[2]
Geography and Demographics
Beverley View in Beeston Hill, fully boarded up, due to lack of demand for the housing and proposed redevelopment.
Beeston is primarily an inner-city area. While located close to Leeds City Centre, Beeston is severed from the areas to the North by the M621 motorway. Beeston is two distinct areas separated by Cross Flatts Park: Beeston Hill to the east, and Beeston Village to the west.
Beeston Hill Area
Beeston Hill is comprised largely of areas of terraced housing and social housing. As a particularly deprived area, Beeston Hill along with Holbeck was the beneficiary of [Objective 2] European funding. In April 2008, a £93m PFI scheme to build 700 new private and housing association dwellings and regenerate some existing stock was announced[3].
The Beeston Hill Area has a significant ethnic minority population.
Beeston Village/Cross Flatts Area
Beeston village is centred around a shopping centre comprising a large Co-operative store and a number of smaller shops. Housing in Beeston village is comprised largely of late Victorian and early 20th Century terraaced housing to the east of Old Lane, and newer family and housing association properties to the West of Old Lane. Like Beeston Hill, most housing is victorian terraces, but mainly through terraces which fetch a higher price. Around Beeston Village and the Heath Estate is the most affluent area of Beeston. Cross Flatts is situated around Cross Flatts Park.
Local facilities
Beeston probably has the best facilities of any area in Leeds. It has two large health centres, the White Rose shopping centre on its doorstep, Elland Road stadium and the John Charles Centre for Sport which includes indoor bowling, indoor Tennis Centre, athletics stadium, rugby pitches and 5-a-side pitches and a full size swimming and diving pool. The city centre of Leeds is only a short bus ride away and the M1 and M62 motorways are easily accessed. Beeston also has a park [Cross Flatts Park] with many facilities, which include 5-a-side football pitches, tennis courts, two separate play areas one for older children and one for younger children and a bowling green.
London bombings
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Beeston was the focus of unwanted attention following the 7 July 2005 London bombings when it was revealed that the bombers had lived in the area. On 12 July, two properties in Beeston were raided by police in connection with the attacks. According to West Yorkshire Police, a significant amount of explosive material was found in the raids and a controlled explosion was carried out at one of the properties.
After-effects
Following the 7th July bombings, the Muslim population of Beeston was in a state of both shock and fear. When news began to emerge of the Beeston link to the attacks, the majority of the population came out to condemn the atrocities. Since that time the community has cooperated closely with the police, but the local economy is still recovering from much of the negative media attention.
There was a significant pulling together of people across the community with two Beeston Together for Peace marches being held. Each were joined by hundreds of people, some as the procession passed. The second procession ended at Millennium Square in Leeds city centre, uniting with people from other parts of Leeds for an interfaith vigil.
Location Grid
References
External links
Coordinates: 53°46′N 1°34′W / 53.77, -1.57
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