Colchester roads named after Olympics (From Essex County Standard)

Colchester roads named after Olympics

9:00am Sunday 15th April 2012 in News By Andrea Collitt

A BID to name streets on a new estate after Colchester landmarks has been snubbed in favour of an Olympic-themed list.

Roads on the former Severalls Hospital site in Colchester were due to be named in line with a local theme.

However, Myland Community Council has lost out to a list of names to commemorate London 2012.

Robert Johnstone, chairman, said: “I think it is a terrible choice.

“It has no local relevance at all. It doesn’t mean a thing to Mile End, Severalls Hospital or this part of Colchester at all.

“Colchester Council has a duty to name residential streets and the developer has an interest in these names.

“However, the community council is best-placed to come up with names because of its knowledge of the area and those who live in the area.”

Mr Johnstone thought developer Crest Nicholson, Colchester Council and the community council had agreed on a local theme.

They held a meeting where it was suggested the streets be named in relation to a prominent water tower in Mill Road.

Mr Johnstone said the Olympic theme had been suggested and ditched during that meeting.When the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency, which owns part of the site, got wind of the idea, it objected.

As a result, Colchester Council has agreed the roads will be named to commemorate this year’s London Olympics. The Homes and Communities Agency did not attend the meeting.

The first phase of the development on the former Severalls Hospital site is under construction.

Despite the Olympic-themed names, the developer is not allowed to use the Olympic brand to market the homes.

Mr Johnstone said Colchester Council had now agreed to allow the community council a greater say in naming streets on future developments in Mile End. He said: “At least there is a positive side to it.”