Pupils from Laithes Primary School in Barnsley have named the streets for a new development of affordable housing in Athersley South. The Catherine’s Walk scheme is being developed by Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association (LYHA) and their construction partner, energy and regeneration specialist, ENGIE. Once completed later this year, it will provide 54 affordable, new homes for families and older people.
 

The competition was open to all 350 pupils in the school and the winning names chosen were ‘Blossom View’ and ‘Tawny Street’, named by Ruby Kenny (aged 8) and Olivia Robinson (aged 8), pictured here with their headteacher, Mrs Fletcher. The two girls told us: “We’re really happy. We’re both friends and in the same year. We couldn’t believe it when we won.” Olivia picked ‘Tawny Street’ because “all the classes in the school are named after owls and Tawny is our class” and Olivia thought “Blossom View sounded nice and calming”.
 

Joanna Chambers, Head of Home & Growth at LYHA, comments: “There were some great names suggested by the children and it was very hard to pick.  We are delighted to be working with primary school pupils and members of the local community in building these homes, which are really starting to take shape now. They will provide much needed affordable housing for local people in an area of acute housing need. 
 

The £5.7 million development is the largest new build scheme that LYHA has undertaken for many years and increases our presence in Barnsley to almost 200 homes from just 10 homes five years ago. It has been part funded by a £2million Homes England Grant and will comprise 40 houses, 8 apartments and 6 bungalows. Five of the homes will be available for shared ownership and the remainder for rent.”
 

Nathan Brough, Regional Director for ENGIE’s Places & Communities division, comments: “We are very proud to be able to celebrate the naming of the streets around this new development with our partners and are especially pleased that we’ve been able to engage with the local school and that the children have had the opportunity to do something so special.

“We look forward to welcoming the schoolchildren back to the development when it completes later this year.”

Councillor Jenny Platts and Councillor Robert Frost also attended from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Cllr Jenny Platts commented; “This is a fantastic development of much needed social housing in this ward, which will be available for families and older people. We’re really pleased with how the development is taking shape.”