STREET names at a new housing development in Prudhoe should reflect the town’s history and avoid references to trees, according to town councillors.

At last week’s meeting of Prudhoe Town Council, councillors considered names for phase two of the Cottier Grange development on the old Prudhoe Hospital site. The Gentoo development will consist of 404 homes when completed.

In a letter from Gentoo to the town council, the developer said it would welcome any comments on the names it had suggested.

Pavilion Rise and Field Close were suggested, to refer to the former sports pitch and associated pavilion social club building in the area.

McCoull Drive was suggested for one of the main routes through the estate – after Dr George McCoull, who served as the hospital’s first medical superintendant.

And Woodland View was suggested in reference to the close proximity and view of Priestclose Wood, while Oakleaf Gardens referred to the various oak trees which had been retained.

But Coun. Eileen Burt called the names ‘uninspiring’.

She added: “We particularly asked them to stay away from references to trees.

“Can I suggest we refer them to the local history society to see whether they have any suggestions for names?”

Councillors said they had previously suggested the name Liddell should be used, to recognise the significance of the wealthy coal mining family, the Liddells, who lived at Prudhoe Hall until around 1904, although it appeared that the suggestion had not been taken forward.

Gentoo said in their letter that after receiving any suggestions from Prudhoe Town Council, it would submit a street naming application to Northumberland County Council.

The town council agreed to ask Coun. Yvonne Ritchie, a member of Prudhoe and District Local History Society, to get in touch with other members for further naming suggestions to forward on to Gentoo.