VISITORS to a popular Richmond visitor attraction are being encouraged to enter a competition to name a new £3.3m affordable housing scheme for local people.

Broadacres is currently building 24 apartments for rent on the site of the former Aviva bus depot in Station Yard, Richmond.

The organisation is looking for a name for the new building and has joined forces with The Station complex, which is next to the new development, to launch a competition.

Between now and Monday, February 24, people who visit the station will be invited to submit names for the building, with the best three being put forward for consideration to Richmondshire District Council, which has responsibility for local highways.

The winners will receive cinema tickets donated by the Station.

Fiona Coleman, senior development manager for Broadacres, said: “This is an important development, not only because it is transforming a site that had become an eyesore but because when completed it will provide some much-needed homes for local people in Richmond.

“We are therefore keen to come up with a memorable name. This could be related to the history of the area, geography of the local environment or anything else that people think is suitable.”

People who wish to enter the competition can fill in the simple form located in the temporary reception area in The Station) and post it in the box provided. The new building cannot be named after a living person or be given a name already in use.

The new development is scheduled for completion in December 2014.