Billesley, West Midlands

Billesley is a ward within the council constituency and parliamentary constituency of Selly Oak, Birmingham, England. It is south of the city centre and includes the areas Billesley, Highters Heath, Maypole (part), Warstock and Yardley Wood. It is contiguous with the Birmingham wards Brandwood on the west, Moseley & Kings Heath on the north west, Springfield on the north east and Hall Green on the east. To the south is the Shirley West ward of Solihull.

The expansion of the area began in 1921 with the commencement of construction of the Billesley Estates. Two districts began to form within Billesley; one on the former Ivy House Farm and the other on the former Billesley Farm. By 1926, between 15 to 20 families were moving into Billesley each week and it became one of Birmingham's first council estates.Brum and Brummies: Vol 2, Carl Chinn, 2001, Brewin Books (ISBN 1-85858-202-4)

Etymology

The name derives from an Anglo-Saxon named Bill who established himself within the area.

Demography

The 2001 Population Census found that 25,874 people were living in the area with a population density of 4,537 people per km² compared with 3,649 people per km² for Birmingham. Billesley has an area of 6.4 km²/ 566.2 hectares. Females represented 52% of the...
Read More