Thorpe Astley
Encyclopedia
Thorpe Astley is a suburban settlement on the southwestern edge of the city of Leicester
, England
. It is part of the civil parish
of Braunstone Town
, although a small part of the development, around Goodheart Way, extends into Leicester Forest East
civil parish
. Both Braunstone Town and Leicester Forest East are within the district of Blaby
, Leicestershire
.
This settlement was built on the last area of agricultural land in Braunstone Town. Construction of this development began after approval from the Blaby District Council in 1994. It covers most of a wedge of land between the M1 Motorway on its western side and the A563 ringroad on the east, with the established community of Braunstone West is on its north side. It is neighboured to the south by the Meridian industrial and comnmercial development.
A Community Centre to serve this housing estate was opened in October 2010; this is maintained by Braunstone Town Council.
The name "Thorpe Astley" was derived from the Astley family, who owned land in Braunstone Town from 1334 to 1404.
Several roads in the Thorpe Astley estate are named after famous people from history, including the 18th-century political radical Thomas Paine
and American paratroop commander General James M. Gavin
. The headquarters of General Gavin's U.S. 82nd Airborne Division was stationed at Braunstone Park during 1944.
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is part of the civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
of Braunstone Town
Braunstone Town
Braunstone is a civil parish and is the largest parish within the district of Blaby in Leicestershire, England, now known as the Town of Braunstone or more commonly, Braunstone Town. At 2007 the population is around 15,000. There are around 7,500 households including Thorpe Astley.Braunstone is...
, although a small part of the development, around Goodheart Way, extends into Leicester Forest East
Leicester Forest East
Leicester Forest East or LFE is a settlement in Leicestershire, England, west of Leicester, straddling the M1 motorway. It is part of the Blaby district.LFE is a popular location among commuters and young families...
civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
. Both Braunstone Town and Leicester Forest East are within the district of Blaby
Blaby (district)
Blaby is a local government district in Leicestershire, England.The district is named after the village of Blaby. It covers the civil parish of Blaby and 23 others. Among these are Cosby, Countesthorpe, Enderby, Huncote, Narborough , Sapcote, Stoney Stanton, and Wigston Parva...
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
.
This settlement was built on the last area of agricultural land in Braunstone Town. Construction of this development began after approval from the Blaby District Council in 1994. It covers most of a wedge of land between the M1 Motorway on its western side and the A563 ringroad on the east, with the established community of Braunstone West is on its north side. It is neighboured to the south by the Meridian industrial and comnmercial development.
A Community Centre to serve this housing estate was opened in October 2010; this is maintained by Braunstone Town Council.
The name "Thorpe Astley" was derived from the Astley family, who owned land in Braunstone Town from 1334 to 1404.
Several roads in the Thorpe Astley estate are named after famous people from history, including the 18th-century political radical Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine
Thomas "Tom" Paine was an English author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual, revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States...
and American paratroop commander General James M. Gavin
James M. Gavin
James Maurice "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin was a prominent Lieutenant General in the United States Army during World War II...
. The headquarters of General Gavin's U.S. 82nd Airborne Division was stationed at Braunstone Park during 1944.