Street names to reflect Aerodrome's history (From Watford Observer)

Street names to reflect Leavesden Aerodrome site's history

5:20pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

The history of the Leavesden Aerodrome site, along with remembering vital community figures, will make a permanent mark on a major housing development which is set to see 425 new homes in the area.

In keeping with the existing aviation connection, members from Abbots Langley Parish Council proposed Mosquito airplanes, as well as the surnames of pilot's who flew the fighter bombers, should be used as street names in the new housing site.

Mosquitoes played a vital role during World War 2 and among those names include Vixen and Herring, while surnames of former pilots include Bateson, Burbridge, Cunningham, Braham and Offord.

Leavesden councillor, Sara Bedford said: "It is important that we have a local association with the past of the Aerodrome site because it is part of our history."

In November last year, Three Rivers District Council approved changes made by the developers, Bellway Homes, to build the homes on the site in Aerodrome Way and north of South Way.

RAF Leavesden was built in 1940 shortly after the outbreak of World War 2. As well as a 1,000 yard runway and hangers there were also two large aircraft manufacturing factories built on site managed by de Havilland.

When the factories closed in 1950 1,476 Mosquitoes had been built, with the first Mosquito rolling off the assembly line in May 1942. The last flying Mosquito crashed in 1996.

As well as keeping with the history, members also agreed that in memory of former Councillor Ivy Young and her sister Rosemarie, who previously sat as a parish councillor, two small adjacent cul-de-sacs could be named after them.

It was suggested the two small closes off South Way could be called Ivy Close and Rosemarie Close.

Councillor Bedford added: "I am not usually a fan of naming things after former Councillors.

"However Rosemarie and Ivy lived in the same house near the site all their lives and were so much a part of all that has happened on the Aerodrome site that I think it would be fitting. It will be a nice memory."

Ms Young died in February after her health deteriorated following a stroke in November last year, aged 82.

She was born at her house in Langley Lane, where she lived her whole life and served for the parish council for more than 18 years.

Chairman of the parish council, Councillor Keith Williams said: "It is jolly good news and welcomed greatly because it commemorates local people.

"It is deserved by both Ivy and Rosemarie who were long standing councillors."

Initially it was suggested a film theme could tie in with the Leavesden studios. However this was decided as inappropriate due to copyright issues.

The names will now be approved by Bellway Homes, Three Rivers District Council and the local post office.