HISTORY continues to shape the future of Rugby’s new neighbourhood.
Streets in the first phase of Houlton – the new 6,200-home suburb currently under construction at the old radio mast site – are being named in honour of the the world’s first transatlantic phone call, which was made from Rugby Radio Station in 1927 to Houlton, Maine, USA.
Houlton Way will run the length of the development, while Maine Street, named after the American state, will cross the width of the site.
Wroughton Drive, which is being built off Maine Street, refers to a return leg of the conversation which was received by a small station in Wroughton, Swindon.
Davidsons Homes is building the first 250-home phase, known as Dollman Meadow.
Other street names have been inspired by locations in Rugby, including Dollman Road – which relates to farmland Davidsons is building on – Station Avenue, and St Gabriel’s Way – named after the patron saint of communications.
Stephanie King, Sales Director at Davidsons Homes, said: “We’re very privileged to be building on such a historic site – the location for the first radio transmission across the Atlantic.
“As such we wanted to make sure our development pays homage to the site’s past glory. Our street names are inspired by the places which helped establish Rugby as a communications powerhouse in the early 20th century. We feel this is a fitting way to preserve the legacy of the site.
“As a company, we work hard to meet the growing demand for housing across the Midlands. Since we’ve started building in Rugby, we’ve been inundated with enquiries about homes here and already completed five sales.”
Over the next 15-20 years, 6,200 new homes, three primary schools, a secondary school, a GP health centre, 31 hectares of employment space and 299 hectares of open space will be built at Houlton.
Visit www.davidsonshomes.co.uk for more information about Dollman Meadow.
