an area of open grassland surrounded by community facilities and commercial premises. To the north of the Bath Road is Prospect Park, a large urban park surrounding the Mansion House. Development to the south of Southcote is restricted by the Holy Brook and the Great Western Main Line, and although the land is used for recreation, proposals are occasionally put forward to build housing on the floodplains. The land south of the railway line is subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). This land is defined by Reading Borough Council as Southcote Meadows, and stretches from the Burghfield Road (near to the western boundary of Southcote) to Milkmaid's Bridge at the foot of Southcote Lock. Other parts of Southcote are subject to similar restrictions, including areas adjacent to (but north of) the railway embankment, trees lining the Kennet and Avon Canal west of Southcote Lock, and various individual sites. Parks and open spaces Prospect Park, one of the largest open spaces in Reading, is in Southcote Ward. Smaller parks such as Linear Park and Southcote Farm Lane playground are in the community. Coronation Square is a designated green space in the centre of Southcote. Bordering Prospect Park is Devil's Dip, a former gravel and clay pit. The site is recognised by Reading Borough Council as an area of wildlife and historical interest, and examples of elm, walnut, ash, horse chestnut and sycamore trees grow there. Other flora found at the site include nettle, bramble and elder, with flowers such as lesser celandine, bluebells and Queen Anne's lace appearing in the spring. Peacock butterflies and various species of woodland bird are prevalent in the area. Demography According to the United Kingdom Census 2011, the population of the Southcote area was 8,548, of which 48% were male and 52% female. This is an increase of 58 residents compared to the 2001 census. Censuses before this cannot be compared, as the ward boundaries (and therefore population) changed after the 1991 census. The majority of residents of Southcote Ward (58.6%) identify as Christian, with people specifying "no religion" counting for 24.9% of the population. The second most prevalent religion in Southcote is Islam, with 6% of people identifying as Muslim. The vast majority of Southcote residents (73.4%) are White British; the Reading average is 65%. Almost one in twenty (4.3%) of residents identify as Black African, 4% of mixed heritage, 3% Pakistani, 3% Indian