BRIGG HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WELL ADVANCED

Building work is now well advanced on a housing development in Brigg which occupies land that had been vacant for a considerable time.
Nameplates have not, as yet, appeared near the entrance to (and exit from) the cul-de-sac on the edge of the Newlands estate. It is called Betulah Close - postcode DN20 8FQ.

Betulah is a Latin name for birch, and the development connects with Almond Grove. It is also near the Atherton Way allotments and the Donkey Field children's play area.

Building semi-detached properties to form the Newlands estate was started by Brigg Urban District Council in the 1930s.
The main aim was to rehouse families then living in 19th century cottages (earmarked for demolition) within town centre courtyards, mainly adjoining Wrawby Street and the Market Place.
There was also considerable demand for housing from people working at Brigg Sugar Factory which had started production a few years earlier.
Brigg UDC opted to name its Newlands streets after trees - Ash Grove, Elm Way, Almond Grove, Cherry Tree Avenue and Birch Avenue - planting examples of these species on adjoining grass verges. So Betulah Close is a fitting choice of name.
The only exception to the UDC's Newlands naming rule was Kingsway (a cul-de-sac of small bungalows) which presumably honoured King George VI.
Considerable interest was shown in Brigg Blog's recent post about nameplates being added alongside a new road in the town - Falcon Way.
Keigar Homes is building nearly 70 domestic properties to be accessed from Bridge Street (the A18) via Falcon Way.
This name reflects the site previously being occupied by a well-known cycle-making factory, whose VIP visitors included Lady Diana, The Princess of Wales. She was presented with hand-crafted bikes by Falcon for her then young sons, Princes William and Harry. 

Brigg resident Ken Harrison has been in touch today to say: "Betula is a family name of 30 plus species of trees, many being varieties of birch, but also including such trees as alder, hornbeam, etc."