Canford Heath
| Canford Heath | |
|---|---|
 View across the modern settlement of Canford Heath |
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 Canford Heath
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| Canford Heath shown within Dorset | |
| Population | 14,079 (2 Wards 14,079) |
| OS grid reference | SZ027946 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | POOLE |
| Postcode district | BH17 |
| Dialling code | 01202 |
| Police | Dorset |
| Fire | Dorset and Wiltshire |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | |
Canford Heath is a suburb and area of heathland in Poole, Dorset, known for being the largest heathland in Dorset, and the largest lowland heath in the UK. It is also the name of the housing development built on the heathland in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The area is split into 2 wards, and at the 2011 census, the combined population of the 2 wards was 14,079.
Historically, Canford Heath was part of the Canford Estate; in the Domesday Book, the manor of Cheneford was held by Edward of Salisbury. Canford Heath was common land. In 1810, it was subdivided among Poole's Proprietors, in response to the 1805 Enclosure Act, which "enabled the enclosure of over 9000 acres of ‘Common Meadows, Heaths, Waste Lands and Commonable Grounds’".
In the early 20th century, Canford Heath had many different uses. In 1929, Canford Heath staged a hillclimb event for the "Motorcycle and Light Car Club", and during the Second World War, Canford Heath was used as a munitions storage. In 1938, most of the heathland was destroyed by a series of massive fires.
In 1944, it was suggested that Canford Heath should be "preserved from business development" after the War, although in 1946, a plan was issued by Professor Abercrombie, which suggested the use of Canford Heath as a housing development, in preference to building in the New Forest. In 1947, there was another large heathfire.
Building work began on a housing development in 1963 in South Canford Heath, whilst Parkstone and Poole grammar schools were relocated to the edge of the heath in 1962 and 1968 respectively, and the first Combined school opened in Canford Heath in 1970. The first Supermarket on the Heath was Waitrose, which opened in June 1970 sharing its car park with the also recently opened Fighter Pilot (now The Pilot) public house and Canford Heath United Reformed Church. Waitrose closed in 1982 to be replaced by Kwik Save. The current supermarket at Adastral Square is Iceland. Housing development began in 1973 in North Canford Heath, and in 1980, International Supermarket and formerly Somerfield (now Asda) became North Canford Heath's first supermarket.
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Wikipedia