Franciscan View tops poll

Published on Wednesday, 20th June 2012

The district has spoken, and Franciscan View has been chosen as the favourite name of the new apartments that are being built on The Friary

Lichfield District Council ran an online poll from 1 to 17 June to name the apartments for older people, which are being created as part of the Friary Outer redevelopment that will be owned and managed by Bromford Support.

The apartment names were suggested by Sandford Gate residents, who were asked to come up with a list of names for the apartments, which they will move into once the development is complete.

Seven names were put forward, and the council, who is responsible for street naming and property numbering across the district, whittled them down to the top four.

The names to choose from were: Franciscan View, Greyfriars House, Seward House and Bishops View.

124 people voted in total. Franciscan View topped the poll with a 31% share of the votes. Next came Greyfriars House with 28%, followed closely by Seward House with 27%. Bishops View came in fourth place with 14% of the total online votes.

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: "Franciscan View is a very fitting name for these new homes, celebrating the heritage of this area. Thank you to everyone that voted for their favourite name."

Franciscan View will feature 54 category II supported apartments that will provide modern fit-for-purpose homes for Bromford residents. They will be owned and managed by Bromford Support. Bromford residents, living in Sandford Gate, will move into Franciscan View once it is complete. Bromford then plan to redevelop Sandford Gate. The Homes and Community Agency is contributing £2.4 million to the supported housing element of the scheme.

Dominique Pearce, Project Manager for Bromford Group, said: "The residents of Sandford Gate are extremely happy to be able to share in the naming of the Friary Outer flats with the people of Lichfield, and are excited to be moving into aptly chosen Franciscan View. The development will bring together the heritage of Lichfield with the fantastic regeneration of this beautiful cathedral city. Bromford looks forward to working with Lichfield District Council to complete the project."

About the names

Franciscan View
The Franciscan Friars were an order of monks founded by St Francis of Assisi in 1209. A group of these monks came to Lichfield to set up home in 1237

Greyfriars House
A group of monks came to Lichfield in 1237. They became known locally as the Grey Friars because of the colour of their habits

Seward House
Anna Seward (1747 - 1809) the Romantic poet, memorialist and letter writer, moved to Lichfield at the age of seven when her father was appointed Canon Residentiary of Lichfield Cathedral. Her most famous work, Elegy on Captain Cook (1780), earned her the name of the Swan of Lichfield.

Bishops View
Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the Franciscan Friary in 1538 and the majority of the buildings on the estate were demolished and sold for £68 to provide money for the Crown. The only buildings to survive were the Dormitory on the west range and a house known as Bishops Lodging in the south west corner.