New homes named after
community figure

Pictured at the opening ceremony L-R: Cllr Desna Allen of North Wiltshire District Council; Belinda Milrod of Aspire; Mrs Joyce Litherland; and Ann Cornelius, managing director at Westlea Housing.

The widow of former North Wiltshire Bowls Club director Mel Litherland has officially opened a new housing development in Chippenham named in memory of her husband.

Westlea Housing, part of the GreenSquare group, has built the three 2-bed bungalows and six 1-bed flats now named Litherland Close, supported by £115,000 grant funding from North Wiltshire District Council and £355,000 from the Housing Corporation (now the Homes & Communities Agency).

Many of Mr Litherland's friends and family were at the ceremony in Westcroft, Chippenham on Wednesday.
Westlea Housing's managing director, Ann Cornelius, said: "This smart new development of high quality affordable homes, in place of the old garages, has really enhanced this part of the neighbourhood. And we're so pleased to have been able to name these homes after someone who made such a great contribution to local life."

A former director of North Wiltshire Bowls Club - adjacent to the development - Mr Litherland put a lot of time and effort into promoting the Club for new members. He and wife, Joyce, were the Men’s and Ladies Captains 2001/02 indoors section and were subsequently the inaugural Men’s and Ladies Captains for Outdoor section 2005 and 2006. And as the first Captain for the Outdoor Green, he put a lot of extra work into the Club to make it the success it was.

One of the properties at Litherland Close has been built with enhanced accessibility for residents with a disability. Westlea worked closely with the Aspire charity to develop a home that would be suitable for a person recovering from a spinal cord injuries. By offering an adapted home for six to twelve months, Aspire is able to remove any obstacles to those wishing to live independently in a constructive way. Aspire’s projects and services have a very simple goal - to provide the support needed to take those who use them from injury to independence.

"It's been brilliant to support the great work that Aspire do and provide a bungalow that's been specifially designed for a person recovering from a spinal cord injury - helping theme towards recovery and independence," said Ann Cornelius.

The Litherland Close development was completed by the contractors ISG Pearce – a leading provider of construction services throughout South West England and South Wales.