ROAD names chosen for a huge golf course development have been blasted as ‘laughable’ with reference to naval ships despite sitting in ‘landlocked Reading’.
Names for nine new streets created for the 223 home golf course development in Caversham were meant to be decided at a council meeting in October.
However, councillor objections meant the naming process was stalled so that new names could be agreed.
Councillor Stephen Goss (Conservative, Emmer Green), a member of the planning applications committee has slammed the naming process.
He said: "Reading Borough Council does not have a formal process by which elected representatives – and ward councillors in particular – can provide meaningful input into naming new streets.
"Apparently, any resident can submit names for consideration; but who knows this? And what does it matter if they do, if officers ultimately decide what is acceptable?"
In response to cllr Goss's criticisms, a Reading Borough Council spokesperson said: "Street names are generally suggested by developers or are taken from Reading’s list of approved street names.
"All councillors can submit suggestions for the approved street names list which are checked with the GIS (Geographic Information System) team and, if suitable, are then taken to the Planning Applications Committee. If approved, the names are then added to the list.
"Ward councillors and the Lead Councillor for Planning and Assets are consulted on each street naming application and the Planning Applications Committee makes the final recommendations on the names."
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Cllr Goss also lampooned the inclusion of ship names such as Garland, Harwich, Hope and Humber, some of which were destroyed in the 18th Century.
He said: "The current list of ‘acceptable’ names is laughable. Literally – at the previous planning meeting I got a laugh from going through and explaining several of them.
"They include the name of a tractor, a type of oil lamp, and 18th Century naval vessels.
"Why landlocked Reading should be naming streets after ships that were captured by the Spanish and French or were sunk is beyond me."
Cllr Matt Yeo (Labour, Caversham) audibly laughed in agreement when cllr Goss made the point at the planning meeting on Wednesday, October 4.
Answering why naval boats are on the approved list of street names in Reading, the council spokesperson said: "It is usual to attempt to name streets after local historical connections, such as activity, occupancy or landscape, but in situations where there is no suitable local name, an attractive name can be chosen.
"Where there are multiple new streets, they may be linked to a theme, which is why the naval vessels appear on the approved names list."
Ultimately, the following street names were agreed by councillors:
The names were approved in private discussions among members of the council's planning applications committee after its meeting on Wednesday, November 1.
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