Residents at odds over road name

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Plans to name a street after a Borders town's famous benefactor have proved to be a loser with local residents.

Melrose councillors came up with William Hill Way in tribute to a philanthropist who died 30 years ago.

Buyers of the £400,000 luxury homes, however, have been unhappy at the proposal which they fear people would associate with the bookmakers instead.

A spokesman for the firm has offered residents a free bet if the name change receives approval.

The developers behind the £60m housing estate in Melrose have said they sympathise with residents.

They have come up with William Hill Way and while Mr Hill was a splendid chap and a great benefactor to the town, people nowadays associate that name with a well-known turf accountant David KilshawEstate agent

They have marketed the location as Trimontium Heights - to recognise a nearby former Roman Camp - and wanted a Roman theme to names.

Melrose and District Community Council and local Scottish Borders councillor Bill Smith argued against that name.

Instead they took a gamble on William Hill Way after the late businessman who donated his estate to good causes and sporting clubs in the town.

Despite his death in 1974, the William Hill Trust still hands out donations to Melrose organisations.

Estate agent David Kilshaw, who is selling the 200-home development, said the Roman names could have had a wide appeal but councillors decided otherwise.

The proposal came from Melrose community councillors

"They have come up with William Hill Way and while Mr Hill was a splendid chap and a great benefactor to the town, people nowadays associate that name with a well-known turf accountant," he said.

"We are talking about exclusive properties here in the region of £400,000 and we wanted something to reflect the history and the quality of the street that our clients are building."

All 12 houses in William Hill Way - which are currently being built - have been sold but the would-be occupiers are unhappy.

One resident, Keith Davies, originally from Winchester, Hampshire, said the house had been sold with no street name mentioned.

"As an incomer, I'm perfectly relaxed about the community honouring Mr Hill," he said.

"But when people look at the address we just feel they are more likely to think of the bookmakers."

It could have been a lot worse for them, it could have been called Punter's Paradise William Hill spokesman

Councillor Smith, who came up with the name in consultation with the community council, said they were reluctant to change the proposal as it could set a precedent.

"When we were asked to submit names we never gave any consideration to the other William Hill," he said.

"This was simply a way of recognising the benefaction of William Hill from whose bequest many local organisations and individuals have been assisted."

'Good sports'

The issue is to be discussed at the next meeting of the community council.

A spokesman for the bookmakers said people should be proud of the street name if it gets approval.

"It could have been a lot worse for them, it could have been called Punter's Paradise," he said.

"But to show we are good sports if they decide to keep the William Hill name and invite us to the official opening, then we will give them a free bet."