Doncaster’s youngsters make their mark by naming five new roads

Pupils from Barnby Dun Primary Academy have named five brand new roads in their local area, after teaming up with housebuilder Stonebridge Homes to choose names for the streets that are part of a new neighbourhood for Doncaster.

Stonebridge Homes, a Yorkshire-based housebuilder creating The Moorings neighbourhood of premium, two- to five-bedroom homes in Barnby Dun, worked with the school to invite pupils aged five to 11 to put forward ideas for the development’s new road names.

After an impressive 50 initial entries, a shortlist of 15 names was put to a vote among school staff, with five names ultimately chosen: Hummingbird Road, Artillery Drive, Bascule Drive, Farmers Close and Acorn Close.

Each name carries its own local significance. Artillery Drive was suggested by local pupil Sam, who discovered through research that WW2 artillery was once loaded at the Ashtree Park site. Bascule Drive, named by pupil Sebastian, nods to the Barnby Dun Lift Bridge, a steel bascule (lift) bridge built in 1983. Student Freya named Acorn as a tribute to the school’s own emblem, which features an acorn, while Hummingbird Road and Farmers Close reflect the area’s nature and farming heritage.

The new names have now been officially approved by Doncaster Council, meaning the road names will soon become a permanent part of the local landscape.

Claire Robinson, Head Teacher at Barnby Dun Primary School, said: “The children were absolutely delighted to be consulted on something that will leave such a lasting mark on their community. It gave them a real sense of ownership and pride, and it’s wonderful that their ideas, each rooted in local history and the things that matter to them, will now be part of the area for years to come.”

Jenny Purple, of Stonebridge Homes, added: “Engaging with local children is so important to us. They’re the next generation who will grow up in these communities and giving them a genuine voice in shaping their surroundings helps build a real sense of belonging from an early age. We were blown away by the creativity and thought the pupils put into their entries.”

To thank the school for its time and support, Stonebridge Homes made a £250 donation, and each of the winning pupils received a Waterstones voucher. The initiative is the first of many collaborations the business intends to host with organisations in the local community.

Continued Jenny: “We’re in this community for the long term and look forward to forming more fruitful partnerships. Our work in Barnby Dun is one of three neighbourhoods in the area so we’re very much looking to engage with local people as we grow those and create more spaces for modern family living.”

Stonebridge Homes is also helping buyers in the area this summer, offering a new initiative that will offer customers a 5% deposit contribution on selected plots. Find out more about Barnby Dun here: https://stonebridgehomes.co.uk/developments/the-moorings/

Photo caption – Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager, Henry Boot with children from Barnby Dun Primary Academy