Affordable housing developer Lovell, which is building 71 new homes for the Orbit Group on land that was formerly part of RAF Watton, held a competition for members of 864 (Watton) Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC), inviting them to come up with street names relating to the base which was operational between 1939 and 1992.

Iris Walk, Anson Way and Adland Road are all names with strong links to RAF Watton’s past. Iris was the codename given to a series of strategic operations run from RAF Watton during the Second World War. Anson Way commemorates the Avro Anson aircraft which flew from the base, while Adland Road honours Katie Adland, who wrote a book – A Shy Girl’s War – about her experiences while she was stationed at RAF Watton.

To thank them, Lovell invited the cadets who devised the winning entries – Flight Sgt Louise D’Aeth, Sgt John Reardon, and Cadets Harry Palmer and Josie Burton – to visit the new development and see the streets they have named taking shape.

“The cadets came up with some excellent suggestions and it was really difficult for us to choose the winners,” says Lovell regional training advisor Shirley Palmer, who organised the competition. “It’s fantastic that the new streets will reflect the great heritage of the base and also honour some of the people who helped to shape it.”

Officer Commanding Watton Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Michael Edney, says: “This was an excellent Squadron project both in working with Lovell the developers and as a research project for the cadets. The whole Squadron was involved with researching the history of RAF Watton, from operations and aircraft to the people who worked there. All the cadets learned something new and the lucky winners have the satisfaction of knowing that they have named three roads on the former RAF Watton station.”

Jeremy Page, head of development for Orbit East, says: “The Orbit Group is delighted to support this initiative. We really appreciate the work put in by the Cadets to produce names with a real local connection and meaning for our new streets.”

Lovell is building 71 new houses and flats for the Orbit Group at Watton. The £5.5 million scheme will create 61 homes for affordable rent, including 23 one- and two-bedroom flats, 19 two-bedroom houses, seven three- and four-bedroom houses, a five-bedroom house and a bungalow designed for a resident who uses a wheelchair. In addition, there will be four two-bedroom houses and six three-bedroom houses available for shared ownership. Work on the new homes is set to be completed in spring 2010.