​FOI Ref: FOI/2021/2803

You asked

I want to make an FOI request for urbanisation, land use and population data (spreadsheet and maps would be preferable) for the settlements of Yawl (Devon), Uplyme (Devon) and Lyme Regis (Dorset) for between the years 2000 & 2021?

We said

Thank you for your request.

Population data

For the population of these areas, you can use our Nomis webservice to find the populations of specific areas which you can select:

  • Once on the Nomis homepage, hover over 'Data downloads' and click 'Query data'.
  • Then you can click 'Population Estimates/Projections' and select the 'Population estimates - small area based by single year of age - England and Wales (2011 to 2019)' dataset. This dataset is based on the ONS' Population estimates for the UK publications (the most recent of which - our mid-2020 estimates - can be found here).
  • Once in the dataset in Nomis, you can use the 'Make selections' box on the left-hand side of your screen to select the specific variables for which you require population information. On the 'Geography' selection, you can click on 'map' to generate an interactive map of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
  • Using this map, you can 'drill' down into finer geographic levels by either clicking on the 'Drill' button (to the right of the geographies in the table), or by double-clicking on the area on the map itself for which you wish to see finer geographies (please see image A, attached).
  • Once you have 'drilled' down to the areas for which you wish to find population data, you can hover over that area on the map, and in the top-right corner of the map, you will see the name or code for that area.
  • To 'select' that area, tick the box of the corresponding name or code as listed in the table to the left of the map.
  • Once you have selected the specific areas you are interested in, you can adjust other variables using the 'Make selections' box. For example, if you wish to see the population data for 2011-2019 (inclusive) you can 'tick all' in the 'Date' selection.
  • Then, once you have selected your variables, you can download the table using the 'Download Data' link under 'Get your data'.

Please note that the above dataset (Population estimates - small area based by single year of age - England and Wales (2011 to 2019)) includes estimates of the population to the geographic level of output areas, based on the 2011 Census.

For population estimates prior to 2011, you might find these data in the 'Population estimates - local authority based by single year of age (1991-2020)', however, these estimates go down to the geographic level of local authority only. For 2001 population estimates to the geographic level of output area, you could use the Census 2001 tables on Nomis ('Census 2001' > 'Key Statistics' > 'KS001 - Usual resident population').

Unfortunately, we do not hold population estimates to the geographic level of output area for the year 2000.

For population estimates of output areas and built up areas, respectively, we do hold 2020 data. This data will be available from 16 September 2021. As such, the information you have requested is considered exempt under Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. Furthermore, as a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.

This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.

Urbanisation

For the urbanisation information of the three areas you mention, you can also find this data on our Nomis webservice.

In the 'Geography' selection of the 'Population estimates - small area based by single year of age - England and Wales (2011 to 2019)' dataset, you can click 'built-up areas'. For more information on how 'built-up area' is defined, please click the 'i' icon to the right of the selection.

After clicking on 'built-up areas', you can select 'South West' from the 'List areas within' (for the areas at which you are looking). You will then see a list of built-up areas (BUA), including 'Lyme Regis BUA'. To see which areas this includes, click the UK-shaped icon to the right of the area, which generates a map. To find the population of a BUA, you can tick its box, and proceed per instructions in the above section of this response.

Please note, that built-up areas do not necessarily mean to the geographic level of output areas. For example, 'Lyme Regis BUA' includes the output area of Uplyme (as seen in its map, please see image B attached). Also, population estimate data on built-up areas, specifically, are available for 2011-2019 (inclusive) only.

For 2001-2010 (inclusive), it is possible that we could produce bespoke analysis to provide the population of the BUA of Lyme Regis (which includes Uplyme and Yawl, as seen in image B of the current FOI response). Such requests fall out of the remit of the FOI Act but requests can be sent to the Population statistics team directly at pop.info.gov.uk.

For 2000, we do not hold population estimates at the specific geographic 'resolution' of BUAs.

For population estimates of output areas and BUAs, we do hold 2021 data collected during Census 2021. However, this data is still in the process of being collected and processed and will be released in 2022.

Land-use

Unfortunately, we do not hold information about land-use. The following live tables on land use on the GOV.UK site are produced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), and they would therefore be better placed to answer queries on this topic. The most recent tables (Land use in England, 2018) include data up to and including the geographic level of local authority. You may be able to find additional information on land use on the Statistics at MHCLG website. As this information is produced by MHCLG, any questions about this data should be directed to their department. They can be contacted via email at mhclgcorrespondence@communities.gov.uk.

Should you require any further information on this data, or any further assistance with using our Nomis webservice, please do not hesitate to contact the Population Statistics team directly at pop.info@ons.gov.uk.

Downloads associated with request