New development to be named Market Gardens despite calls to commemorate Queen Elizabeth ll

A new development in Torrington is to be named “Market Gardens” despite calls from the town council to adopt a street sign which would commemorate Queen Elizabeth II.

Torridge District councillors debated whether to accept demands by Great Torrington Town Council to name the area, behind Torrington Pannier Market, “Queens View”, “Royal View” or “Royal Square” after the developer had proposed to call it “Market Gardens.” 

Rules state that property developers can suggest names for new streets to the district council which then checks them against certain criteria.  Suggestions are then forwarded to the town or parish council for consideration.

However, Torrington Town Council provided alternative names which were sent back the developer for consideration but the two parties failed to agree, causing it to be passed to the district council’s community and resources committee on Tuesday 5 December.

Outlining the concerns, town councillor Philip Cloke said: “The name ‘Market Gardens’ although having a distant and historical relevance to this part of the town, is no longer appropriate. 

“Neither a garden or a market is within close proximity of the new development, and we as a council fear that it may distract and confuse people from visiting our own garden or in fact, our own market, which is the new revived and vibrant pannier market.”

Councillors on the committee were split, with some claiming the views of town councils should be respected on such issues.

Independent councillor for Northam, Chris Leather, said: “As a supporter of our parish in town councils, whatever parish and town councils want as far as street names should carry the day, in my view. 

“But the principle of street naming, if the local council can’t agree with the developer, the local council view – for me – should always carry the day.”

But Conservative councillor for Shebbear and Langtree, David Hurley said there appeared to be sound reasons why the developer’s choice for the road was chosen. 

“This was a market garden at one time,” he said. “So, surely it follows ‘Market Gardens’ follows that argument.”

The developers choice of name was agreed by the committee with five votes in favour and three against.