North Kesteven – one of the country's largest food producers
North Kesteven is a largely rural region south of Lincoln in the English county of Lincolnshire. The district is known for its food production, is the largest UK producer of potatoes, wheat, poultry and cereals; the second largest producer of sugar-beet; and the fifth largest producer of pigs. Amazingly, around one-fifth of the country’s food is either grown, reared or produced in Lincolnshire.
North Kesteven is currently home to around 108,000 people, the majority of which live in around 100 mainly small rural communities. There has been a rise in the region’s population of around 14% over the last ten years.
Property prices vary throughout the region, with higher prices naturally being realised in the northern part, nearer to the city of Lincoln.
The average residential price is generally some 15% lower than the national average, which likely helps attract investors to the area. Prices have risen around 1.25% over the last twelve months and over 6.3% over the last five year period.
The county of Lincolnshire is often referred to as ‘Bomber County’ and North Kesteven is the place to visit for aviation heritage fans, with its three active bases and a wealth of history. Former airfields, museums and memorials are witnesses to the region’s colourful past. 12% of residents in North Kesteven are employed by the armed forces.
Thanks to the region’s inexpensive housing, well-regarded schools, low crime rates and peaceful ambience, quality of life are high in North Kesteven.
Economy & Employment
A diverse economy drives North Kesteven
12% of employees in North Kesteven are employed by the MOD with two RAF bases located in the region. Food production accounts for a significant proportion of the area’s employment from potatoes, wheat and sugar-beet to poultry and pigs.
Construction company Lindum Group is a large employer in Lincolnshire with revenues of £120m to November 2014 and around 550 employees.
LINBIS is a new business support network, backed by four Lincolnshire local authorities to encourage business start-ups and entrepreneurs and help boost the local economy. This will build on the council’s £21m capital programme for supporting business growth.
At 87.2 acres, Teal Park is the largest new employment park in the East Midlands. The adjacent A46 has undergone a comprehensive upgrade to provide dual carriageway access into the development. Teal Park is currently home to Siemens’ industrial gas turbine service business, which occupies a 135,000 square foot facility.
Investment
New houses across the area and a new leisure centre are proposed.
Permission has been granted for a £2m business development at Teal Park. 19 industrial units have been approved, creating around 100 jobs. The units will range from 500 to 2,000 square feet, with an anticipated completion date of spring 2016. Once built, it is expected that 98 businesses will be supported over the next 25 years, and around 280 jobs will be either created or safeguarded.
The £2.85m Sleaford Leisure Centre was completed in October 2013 and boasts a splash pool, sauna and steam rooms, a larger gym and dance studio.
Building on the success of the Leisure Centre’s refurbishment, North Kesteven District Council is poised to embark on a further £2.5m leisure investment in North Hykeham.
Plans are proposed for a development of 120 new homes in the north of the region, alongside an existing development. The plans are for a variety of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroomed properties.
Another development of approximately 80 new homes has also been proposed for another site toward the north of the region.
Transport
Air: Lincolnshire is serviced by three major airports within an hour and a half travel time: East Midlands, Robin Hood and Humberside.
Rail: Lincoln Central Railway Station is located within walking distance of the shopping and cultural areas of the city.
Direct connections are provided by East Midlands Trains, East Coast and Northern Rail which operate daily services to Peterborough, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Doncaster and London.
Road: North Kesteven is accessible via the A1, M1 and M180 and is located just two hours from London
Bus: The region has an extensive network of bus services to destinations throughout Lincolnshire and beyond.
Education
There are a number of well-regarded schools throughout the North Kesteven district.
Carre’s Grammar School is currently ranked by Ofsted at 670 in the country. Based in Sleaford, this well-regarded school is a selective Grammar school for boys between the ages of 11 and 18 years.
Notable Institutions: The Kesteven and Sleaford High School Selective Academy were ranked among the 165 best schools in the country in 2016. The Grammar School Academy caters for girls between the ages of 11 and 18, and sixth form boys.
Of KSHSSA pupils, 100% gain five or more GCSEs at A* to C grade and over 80% achieved A* to B grade. More than 90% of the AS/A2 level students go on to higher education.
This is a high performing secondary school and in 2012 became a Lead School for the School Direct teacher training programme. It was also the only school in the county to be awarded the Information and communication technologies mark (2006) and has also received a DfES Achievement Award.
The school is also a founding member of Sleaford Education and Business Partnership.
Branston Community Academy is co-educational and was established in 1955. The academy caters for pupils from the age of 11 to 18, it is currently ranked at 550 in the country.
Branston was one of the first 18 British schools designated as a Specialist Business and Enterprise College in September 2002 and in 2003 the school became a DCSF Pathfinder Enterprise School and In 2006 it was designated as the regional hub school for Enterprise.
Shops & Leisure
Shopping & Dining: North Kesteven has all the usual mix of shopping centres, high streets and rural delights, something for shoppers of every kind. Sleaford holds a market on a Monday, Friday and Saturday, and on the first Saturday in every month the market is swelled by the presence of the Lincolnshire Farmers Market.
These specialist traders bring a fabulous and diverse range of foods. Food and drink in Lincolnshire is at the very heart of the people’s way of life.
Sport & Culture: Outdoor types are extremely well catered-for in North Kesteven. There are miles of cycleways, walks, historic buildings and charming villages. There are six swimming pools, at least five golf courses and four leisure centres.
Green Spaces: North Kesteven is the privileged home to a variety of landscapes, ancient woodlands and open countryside, so it’s no surprise that nature walks are a popular pastime.
Millennium Green in North Hykeham is a public open space of over 40 acres with a large lake around which is a mile long footpath. Lollycocks Field in Sleaford has over 5 acres of pasture which provides important habitat for many species of plants and animals.
