A row over a new street name could have a sting in the tail – by ending up in court.
Councillors went on the warpath over the name of a new housing development on the site of the former Wasps Nest pub in Nab Lane, Mirfield.
Wasps Nest is a historic name for that part of town but the developer said such a title would put off buyers.
Now Dewsbury and Mirfield District Committee has ruled that the new street should be called Waspsnest Court, with wasps nest as one word.
However, if anyone objects, magistrates will have the final say.
In a statement to the committee James Riding, of developer Sands Ltd, defended his decision to oppose the Wasps Nest name.
Mr Riding, who wants to demolish the old pub and build 12 houses, said: “I’ve invested thousands of hours in making this location viable.
“First impressions count and everything is in a name. The slightest thing can deter people from moving into a house.”
The Wasps Nest name goes back as far as the 1700s. It referred to a row of cottages where a gang of notorious ruffians who would “swarm out like wasps” whenever anyone came near.
Mayor of Mirfield Clr Vivien Lees-Hamilton said councillors had a duty to protect the heritage of the town.
