THE Botanical Place development in West Byfleet has taken another step forward with the naming of five new buildings.

Residents and community groups were among those invited to show their creative side by putting forward names reflecting West Byfleet’s historic links with the cultivation and distillation of essential oils, botanical perfumes and remedies.

The Botanical Place scheme, being built by long-standing retirement community developer Retirement Villages Group (RVG), is under construction on the site of the old Sheer House office block and retail units in the heart of West Byfleet.

It is the flagship development in Retirement Villages’ new Thrive Living collection and, aside from the retail, restaurant and public library will provide 198 apartments.

Naming new places and buildings is governed by council guidelines, so each name had to be suitable for use as a building address and include the word “House”.

Once the list of feasible suggestions had been compiled, it was submitted to Woking Borough Council, who co-ordinated with the emergency services and Post Office to ensure the names were appropriate.

With the lengthy process completed, the names were announced as Bergamot House, Cassia House, Copper Pot House, Juniper House and Tea Tree House.

They will all be situated around the main public square, which is called Botanical Place and features flowing water, trees, plants and seating.

Guy Flintoft, planning director at Retirement Villages, said: “This is a major milestone for the Botanical Place project and, once again, local people have helped us get there.

“The buildings’ names really resonate with the area’s history but also reflect the public’s interest in biophilia [connecting with nature], which we know affects wellbeing. 

“We are delighted that Woking council was able to confirm all the names that were put forward.”