case study : Fletton

• Fletton became home to the highest number of Italian migrants in the UK due to the need for workers in the brick industry

  1950s
• The Fleet on Fletton High Street was built by the Italian Community Association


  1988
• Amazon distribution centre opened with 1000 employees

  2011
• 2011 census: Population statistics

  • 57% own home, 79.9% economically active, 81% of economically active work in the services sector, 11% in manufacturing, 40% of the population under the age of 30 with 11% aged under 7
• 2011 census: Total population 11,700, with a 45% increase in 20 years from 1971-1991
• Closure of the brickworks in Fletton

  1980s
• Ikea distribution centre opened, creating 500 jobs

  2002
• The railway enabled large-scale brick-making and distribution to take place in Fletton, making it the UK's leading producer of bricks for much of the twentieth century


  1890s
• 1961 census: Total population 6,490, with 93% born in England and 4% from EU countries, mainly Italy
• 8% of residents commute to London for work
• British sugar headquarters and factory established


  1923
• Peterborough was designated a New Town, leading to significant population growth


  1967
• Opening of the Great Northern Railway Line from London to York that transformed Peterborough from a market town to an industrial centre


  1850
• 2011 census: Country of birth

  • 79% England, 11.6% EU countries (mainly Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia), 8% other countries (mainly Asian countries)
• Completion of the government hub relocated from London to Fletton Quays, housing DEFRA, environment agency, and The Passport Office, creating 1000 jobs

  2022
• 80% of the 65,000 people who arrived in East Anglia from the states that joined the European Union in 2004 were living in Peterborough

  2006
• The Pasta Shop was founded

  1992
• Whitworth mill, a steam-powered corn mill, ceased production


  1987
• Endogenous factors have influenced Fletton, such as physical geography (Oxford clay subsoil), infrastructure (transport hub on the East Coast main line), and demographics (40% of the population under the age of 30)
• Peterborough east train station closed

  1966
• Sugar beet factory closed but headquarters remained

  1991
• 46% of residents are not deprived in any element, higher than the national average
• Peterborough Investment Partnership’s (PIP) initiated a 120 million development to regenerate a 6.4-hectare site, including 358 high-quality homes and refurbishing Grade II listed railway sheds


  2017
• Reasons for Fletton being a commuter settlement

  • Hub located on the East Coast main line
  • Close proximity to the A1
• Investments in Fletton

  • Exogenous flows of investment of TNCs on the site of the old brickworks
  • Relocation of government buildings from London
• Railworld Wildlife Haven was set up by Rev Paten in 1985
• Companies in Fletton due to proximity to A1

  • Amazon
  • Ikea
• Shops and restaurants in Peterborough

  • Polish
  • Italian
• Demographics of Fletton

  • 40% of the population under the age of 30
  • 21% of the population coming from Eastern European countries
• 140 different languages spoken in Peterborough
• The Fleet complex in Peterborough has been managed by the Italian Community Association since it opened in 1985
• Fletton is the fastest growing city in the UK with a population expected to increase by 12.5% by 2050
• Between 1971 and 1991, Peterborough’s population increased by 45%
• Railworld


  Rev Paten set up charity in 1985

  • transformed Peterborough power station coal storage yard into inner city green space
  • has won 6 major UK environmental awards
  • YET gets no core funding and has to rely on donations from public and support from volunteers
• Peterborough Investment Partnership (PIP)


  • co-operation between Peterborough Council and investment team - IAGH3
  • converted brown-site to residental community , 300+ apartment
• what's in Fletton Quays?

  • Hilton Hotel , passport office (provided 1000 jobs) , Gregs , Bewitched
  • Environmental Agency headquarters , wildlife area
• evaluation of PIP

  • apartments too expensive for most people to buy
  • protected species of bats in Whitworth Mill halted development
  • NIMBYISM - blocked views of cathedral , increased congestion
  • built on flood plain - impermable surfaces = increased risk of flooding
• Peterborough Development Co-operation 


  • established in Feb 1968 , after Peterborough was deemed to be a 'New Town' to deal with overspill from London
  • provided homes , facilities , work for 70,000 people
  • population increased by 45% from 1971 - 1991
• evaluation of Peterborough Development Co-operation

  • Peterborough has more investment in lower knowledge industries e.g distribution
  • less investment in inner city
  • many greenfield sites were built on
• documentary : 'Poles are coming'

  • highlighted the impact of Polish migration on Peterborough , area was 'swamped'
  • POS : insider perspective , evokes sense of place
  • NEG : racist , only focuses on migration