Rugby's industrial and sporting heritage inspires naming of Biart Place housing development

Councillors rubber-stamped the name of the new road serving the site and the names of the development's four apartment blocks at a meeting of full council last night (Wednesday 10 July).

Navigation Way has been chosen as the name for the new road, celebrating the pivotal role the railway and canal networks played in Rugby's rapid industrial growth in the 19th century.

The name was suggested by Cllrs Sam Edwards, Neil Sandison and Tricia Trimble, members for Eastlands Ward, the location of the development.

Working with Willmott Dixon, the construction company the council has partnered with to deliver the project, the council invited pupils from Avon Park School to suggest names for the development's apartment blocks.

Pupils at the specialist day school took inspiration from Rugby's iconic status as the birthplace of the game for the suggested names - Clayton House, Davenport House, Sherrard House and Lindon House.

John Clayton, Alfred Davenport and Charles Sherrard were all pupils at Rugby School who played for England against Scotland on 27 March 1871 - the first ever rugby international.

Meanwhile, Lindon House commemorates the work of Rugby leathermaker Richard Lindon, who manufactured the first rugby footballs at his shop in Lawrence Sheriff Street before paving the way for the modern rugby football by designing the first ball with four leather panels, a rubber bladder and an air pump.

Willmott Dixon started work on site in December, with the development set to include 60 one and two-bedroomed flats, 20 maisonettes and 20 two, three and four-bedroomed houses.

The development has been backed by a £6.8 million grant from Homes England, together with a further £2 million from the Getting Building Fund.

Cllr Claire Edwards, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and homes, regulation and safety, said: "Naming the new development marks another significant step towards delivering this ambitious project and allows Willmott Dixon to make the necessary applications to utility companies so the new homes can be connected on completion.

"The development remains on schedule to be completed in 2026, adding 100 modern, energy efficient homes to the council's housing stock."

Councillors first approved plans to develop the site nearly six years ago after structural surveys revealed both of Biart Place's tower blocks - which comprised 124 one and two-bedroomed flats - were beyond economic repair.

Sustainable design and construction have been put at the heart of the development, with electric vehicle charging points, solar panels and air source heat pumps all included in the plans.

Cllr Neil Sandison, ward councillor for Eastlands, said the community had made it clear the development should signal a fresh start for the site.

"The area has a close affinity to the canal and railway networks, with the Great Central Way built by 2,000 navigation workers, hence the name Navigation Way," Cllr Sandison added.

"This heritage met the criteria for street naming in a new development and we're pleased council supported our suggestion."