Use of Office for National Statistics Data

Economic data is collected at certain geographies, which do not neatly fit the South Downs National Park boundaries. Therefore in the South Downs Local Economy Report, prepared by Hampshire County Council for the National Park Authority, two approaches have been applied to the analysis. Where data is only available at the district level, a South Downs ‘buffer’ has been created that covers the 16 districts which intersect a 5km zone around the National Park boundary. Data is reported for all 16 districts but the commentary concentrates on those local authorities which have land within the National Park (Basingstoke & Deane and Test Valley have not been included as the 5 km buffer intersects such a small part of these districts).

Where data is available at more detailed levels such as Output Areas (OA), Lower Layer Super Output Areas (LSOA) or Middle Super Output Areas (MSOA) or Wards a best fit is applied. This has been done by using a 33 percent threshold. In other words where the Output Areas have more than 33 per cent of their population living within the National Park the data has been used. Using the 33 per cent threshold there are 384 OAs, 70 LSOAs and 17 MSOAs that represent the South Downs National Park.

In addition it is important to remember that many statistics are estimates only, and their level of accuracy may vary. The statistics in Chapter 5 should therefore be read as a general indicator of the economic activity and economic trends in the National Park. The Office for National Statistics will provide the 2011 census results data sets cut to the National Park boundary, this will provide a much more current and accurate picture of the statistics. It is expected that the majority of 2011 census data will be available in 2013-2014.