A development in Sowerby that has been named in memory of long-serving councillor Leslie Godfrey has now been completed.
Godfrey Place on Rooley Lane, a partnership between Together Housing Group and Calderdale Council, was named after the late Leslie Godfrey, who died in 2018 at the age of 95.
Nicknamed Mr Sowerby Bridge for his commitment to public services in the area, Cllr Godfrey served on many local committees and organisations for almost 60 years. As a Together Housing tenant, he was also an active and valued member of the Tenant Federation Group and Area Committee.
Leslie lived with his wife Edna and son Barry at a Together Housing home at Tennyson Avenue from 1986.
Barry said:
“My dad dedicated his life to helping improve the area and the lives of local people so he’d have been delighted to see these lovely new homes in a place he knew well. He was a humble man but he’d have been very proud that this new housing development is named after him.”
Godfrey Place includes 28 family homes for rent in a mix of 14 two-bed and 12 three-bed homes. There are also two specially designed bungalows – one of which will meet the specific needs of a family that has applied to the Council for the Disabled Facilities Grant to fund adaptations.
Mrs Christie, who is moving into one of the bungalows with her husband and son, said:
“Our new home is stunning. We’ve watched the development being built and applied as soon as we could. My husband has a disabling disease and being on one level will make a massive difference to his independence and our quality of life.”
The scheme is part of the Calderdale Together Housing Investment Partnership, a partnership between Calderdale Council and Together Housing Group, which is committed to deliver up to 650 new homes over five years.
Cllr Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Resources, said:
“It’s fantastic to see more affordable homes completed as part of our investment partnership with Together Housing, bringing more choice and high-quality facilities to local people. Godfrey Place adds to the six affordable housing sites which we have already delivered together in Calderdale. It’s especially moving that the development is named after Leslie Godfrey, who the Council recognised with a Citizenship Award in 2010 for his tireless work in the community.”
Dave Procter, Chair of Together Housing Group Board, added:
“I knew Leslie and he made a great contribution to the local community. It’s wonderful his son, Barry, has celebrated the completion of these high-quality homes that are in a fantastic location and provide much-needed affordable housing.”