Rose Hill, Oxfordshire

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Rose Hill
latitude= 51.7253
longitude= -1.2329
os_grid_reference= SP530032
population =
shire_district= Oxford
shire_county = Oxfordshire
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Oxford East
post_town= OXFORD
postcode_area=OX
postcode_district= OX4
dial_code= 01865

Rose Hill is an inner city council estate. It is located on the south-eastern outskirts of Oxford, England.According to the 2001 Census, the population of Rose Hill and the adjoining village of Iffley was 4,667.

Location

The estate is largely to the west of the road of the same name, running out towards the river. Many would consider the centre of Rose Hill to be The Oval (location coord|51|43|30.96|N|1|13|58.36|W|), which is a large expanse of grass in the centre of a turning circle. Also located on 'The Oval' is the Rose Hill Community Centre, Rose Hill Primary School (formerly Rose Hill First) and two convenience stores.

Origin

The name Rose Hill derives from the name of an old farmers cottage which is located on the A4158. Prior to the building of the present buildings located between the A4158 and Lamborne Road on land that was used primaly for the use of local Agriculture.The oldest homes are pre-war, being built between 1936 and 1939 to house people from the dilapidated slum dwelling around the Jericho and St. Ebbes. Much of this housing was designed by George C Robb (1903-80), Chief Housing Assistant to the City Engineers Department of Oxford City Corporation between 1938-41. Many of the streets are named after local councillors and national politicians. The most noticeable of these is Asquith Road which is named after the English Prime Minister and Earl of Oxford H. H. Asquith.

Post War buildings Orlit and Self-Built homes were built in the 1950s and 60s to meet the then pressing need for accommodation, particularly for factory workers at the Morris Motor Company plant in nearby Cowley.

Community

Rose Hill is reputedly one of the most deprived estates in the country [http://www.oxford.gov.uk/files/seealsodocs/38837/SESOARose_Hill___Iffley.pdf Oxford City Council Report, downloaded April 2007] . It has major social problems. These focus on unemployment (the rate here is 10%, which is significantly higher than the 4% of the rest of Oxfordshire); and on crime, in the form of drug abuse (mainly of crack and heroin), street crime and anti-social behaviour.

The residents have the general levels of poor health associated with low socio-economic status, including a significantly higher mortality rate than is seen in any other area of Oxford.

Rose Hill is served by a host of businesses, from convenience stores to restaurants. There is a thriving community centre that provides a host of activities from the over 60s 'Silver Thread' club to a youth centre, nursery and primary school and a 'Sure Start' advice centre.

References