Schoolchildren name new homes

Children at Ingram Road Primary School, Holbeck have been involved in the naming of Unity’s latest development on Brown Lane East, in the same area.

Wayne Noteman from Unity Housing approached the school through community organiser Dennis Kitchen, both are on the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan group, to involve the children in naming the new flats being built by Unity and Keepmoat on Brown Lane East.

Wayne Noteman of Unity said: ‘I thought it would be a fun task for the pupils to work on. Something that would involve them as part of the development and give them ownership within their community.’

As the ground was being prepared and the foundations were being laid the children took their task seriously and began researching their local area.

Miss Carter, Deputy Head said: ‘We all had a great time researching historical figures online and learning about our distinguished heritage.’

Twelve names were put forward including the famous Matthew Murray (1765-1826). Ideas around the Viaduct which can be seen in Holbeck and Marshall Mills a link to the Holbeck Urban Village were also suggested. Once the names were collated the school submitted all them to Unity Housing staff, who voted for their favourite.

And the winning name with 40% of the votes is ‘Harding Villas’ put forward by Oak Class Yr 4/5.

Colonel Thomas Walter Harding (1843-1927) was an industrialist and civic figure who built extensions to Holbeck’s Tower Works in 1899 and the 1920s. Between 1898-99 he was Lord Mayor of Leeds and created Freeman of the City of Leeds in 1903.

The housing development will create 42 new homes available for affordable rent and shared-ownership and is due to be completed in December 2014. The class has been invited to attend the opening ceremony on the site of the new houses they have named.

Taking the first step on the property ladder?

Through the shared-ownership scheme you can purchase up to 75% of your property. The aim is to help people who can afford mortgage payments but can’t afford a big deposit.

If you are interested in buying shares in a property please contact 0113 200 7700 for more information, or download a site map by clicking the link at the side of this page.