Council say no to plans to honour tragic Neil

Village ‘legend’ Neil died after a bus collapsed on top of the mechanic. His dad campaigned to have the street named in his honour.

However Scarborough councillors shunned the suggestion in favour of naming it Violet Grove, with Cllr Dilys Cluer stating: “I’d support (that) name - it doesn’t have the problem which really annoys me in that does it have an apostrophe or not?”

Councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the floral street name suggested by developer Cowling Ford Homes, despite Neil’s dad Glynn claiming it would be a “fitting memorial” to the late 42-year-old.

Hunmanby Parish Council had put forward Browns Close or Court as options, but at Thursday’s planning meeting, Muston’s Godfrey Allanson failed to persuade fellow councillors.

“In Hunmanby where this has been done, nobody has ever raised any problems,” said Cllr Allanson.

“The Brown family there have a strong connection to the village for over 100 years - they have been strong people in the village.

“It is good local connection and doesn’t set a precedent.

“It makes a change - every town you go to are full of flower streets and it is good to have a bit of historical connection.”

The new five-property street is based on Hungate Lane land sold by the Brown family prior to April’s tragedy at Shoreline Suncruiser’s depot.

Hunmanby Parish Council was adamant the street should bear the Brown name, claiming it would uphold a village tradition.

However the developer claimed prospective buyers had looked at homes based purely on the name Violet Grove, despite one councillor branding the name “boring and a bit naff”.

And Mr Ford, from the firm, said: “We absolutely understand Mr Brown’s position in opposing our street name.

“Had (Glynn) Brown come to the company earlier on, we would have been in the position to entertain and discuss it further.”

However he said marketing the properties under the Violet Grove name was now well underway, adding: “Naming the street Brown suggests ownership or involvement in the development.

He claimed to do so would be “misleading” to buyers and the public.

The three-bedroom properties, which are already filling up, are being marketed for as much as £220,000.

And while they won’t be sold on a street bearing the Brown name, the idea was floated at the meeting of possibly erecting another form of memorial, possibly a plaque, to honour him and his family.

Despite rejecting the naming ideas, members - including Cllr Cluer - expressed their sympathies to the Brown family for the loss of Neil.

“No doubt they have been prominent and good citizens in the village,” added the Green Party councillor.

And Labour’s Eric Broadbent added: “It is tragic but time does move on.

“In time the connection will go so I think if you name a street that is attractive like Violet Grove, it is very appropriate to that lovely village.”