Harry picks first class name for new Leeds street

A total of 32 apartments built in Richmond Hill as part of Leeds City Council’s housing growth programme are now fully let.

Situated off East Park Road, the mix of one and two bedroom homes has been given the reassuringly traditional name Railway Close.

And credit for that should go to Richmond Hill Primary School pupil Harry Stanley, who won a competition to name the new street.

Richmond Hill Primary headteacher Nathan Atkinson said: “Being able to get the pupils involved in a big construction project like this by naming the street was a great way to help them see the role they play in our community.”

Contractor Houlton delivered the Railway Close apartments for the council, which is aiming to build 1,000 new homes to rent.

They boast open plan design as well as triple glazing and high level of insulation.

Coun Richard Lewis, the council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “The homes at Railway Close are part of a new generation of council homes that set the bar for housing quality.

“We embarked on this ambitious drive to build 1,000 new homes alongside working with developers, housing providers, the third sector and landlords to ensure we can provide a range of housing types and tenures.”

Houlton managing director Paul Dickerson added: “We’re delighted to have worked with Leeds City Council on a flagship project like Railway Close which has created such interest in the community.

“We’re confident tenants will definitely feel at home here.”

Praise for the scheme also came from Coun Debra Coupar, the council’s executive member for communities, and local Labour councillors Ron Grahame and Asghar Khan.