The County of Essex, population 1.7 million, on the North-East quarter of London, is largely affluent. 20% of our working age population bringing home London salaries. Quality of life in the north of the county is good, but there are areas of deprivation.

Essex shares the problems of growth and complex administration with the rest of South-East of England. Access to services, transport and employment is an issue in rural Essex, as is housing affordability. Recent migration from London has nullifying or reversed the impact of the recent UK house price slump. Central Government plans 127,000 new homes for the Essex region by 2021.

The draft Regional Economic Strategy identifies significant economic drivers in Essex related to the developing international gateways such as Bathside Bay and Shellhaven. Despite being so densely populated, Essex boasts a rich and varied environment with conservation areas of international importance, some of the highest densities of ancient trees in Europe and hundreds of miles of ancient hedgerows. It is also home to 234 Conservation Areas, more than 14,000 Listed Buildings and over 300 Scheduled Monuments.

What does Essex County Council do with PASCAL?

Essex County Council funds PASCAL's PURE study in its county.