The new Lyng pays homage to its heritage

Published by kerri smith for Lyng Community Association in Housing and also in Communities

Past meets present on West Bromwich’s flagship residential redevelopment where residents are settling into life on three nostalgically named new streets.

Lyng estate is being transformed in a multi-million pound partnership between Lyng Community Association, Sandwell Council and Barratt Homes. 364 homes are under construction, including 114 rented properties, and public open space, including a park and a children’s playground, is being created.

A number of new roads have been laid and given names that celebrate local landmarks of yesteryear, including St John’s Mews, Downing Crescent and Dingley Bells.

Lyng Community Association (LCA), which owns and manages all the homes for rent on the estate, set its tenants, neighbouring residents and businesses a challenge to see if they could discover the origin of the most unusual of the three names, Dingley Bells.

The community housing provider launched a competition in its quarterly newsletter LyngLine and it didn’t take long for local history buff Emma Neads to get in touch, correctly identifying Dingley Bells as a popular former greengrocer in West Bromwich.

Emma moved into a new LCA home in Frank Fisher Way on the Lyng with husband Peter 12 months ago. She said: “When I read about the competition I was really intrigued about what Dingley Bells referred to because it is such a unique name. Because it sparked my curiosity I decided to do a bit of research myself and then went to the council to find out more.

“I think it is a lovely idea to name the streets after local places, shops, people and the like. All of which have helped shape the area and give it the wonderful community feel that it has in abundance today.”

Chair of Lyng Community Association Wendy Bodenham added: “We have a very rich heritage here in West Bromwich and it is fitting to remember different aspects of our history as we embark on this exciting new chapter.

“We are undergoing a major regeneration project in the Lyng which is a big boost for the community today and for future generations. In all that it’s important we don’t lose sight of the evolution of the area and the positive influences from the past.”

The Lyng is at the heart of a massive programme of investment in West Bromwich, which spans retail, leisure, education, housing, health and police.