By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 11:44, Saturday, 13 March 2010

A new housing development in Carlisle has been named after Lynn Caslin, the former manager of Morton Community Centre who died last year.

From left, Sam flanked by Lynn's sister Wendy and daughter Jade

Her husband Sam cut the first sod at the £4.8 million scheme for 43 homes for rent at Barras Close in Morton Park.

It will be known as Caslin Way.

Mrs Caslin, 46, drowned in freak storm while snorkelling at the resort of Sosua in the Dominican Republic in February 2009. She was pulled under water and, although her husband dragged her to safety, could not be revived.

The tragedy rocked Morton where the mother of three was a well-loved figure.

Mr Caslin said: “Lynn didn’t like a lot of fuss but I think she’d be really pleased to think that they thought so much of her to name a street after her.”

The Caslins’ daughter Jade, 20, also attended the sod-cutting ceremony. Mr Caslin, 49, said the family had been touched by the messages of sympathy after his wife’s death. He said: “I was shocked by all the support. All the cards and the flowers were overwhelming and unbelievable.”

City councillor Peter Farmer, chairman of Tramp, the Morton residents’ association, said: “The group wanted to give the site a name that really reflected the local community. It was decided unanimously that it should be renamed Caslin Way.”

Housing association Riverside Carlisle is behind the development. There will be four four-bedroom, 16 three-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom houses, and five two-bedroom bungalows.

They replace one-bedroom flats, which suffered from dampness and had been difficult to let.

Riverside’s predecessor, Carlisle Housing Association, originally wanted a mix of homes to buy and rent.

But this latest scheme is entirely rented housing.

USE STREET VIEW BELOW TO TOUR BARRAS CLOSE

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Kim Doran, head of asset management at Riverside Carlisle, said: “We think this is a better scheme. We will move tenants in as homes become available.”

All will have solar panels for hot water while larger houses will use recycled rainwater to flush toilets. The first tenants should move in by October and the scheme is due to be finished by next March.

Lovell, the contractor that did the Raffles redevelopment, is building the homes. Phil Houghton, its Cumbria area manager, said: “We have taken into account housing need in the area and consulted the local community. It’s a good example of partnership working.”

First published at 14:13, Friday, 12 March 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk