11th Mar 2025
Strengthening local community relationships, we asked Thornhill Primary School to create a design we can use on the new hoarding space next to Lidl and Stonebond and bpha’s development at Phase 3. Working closely with the Deputy Head, Mr Gunning, and the school team, we asked the pupils what community meant to them. The project encouraged many pupils to use their art classes to create a picture of themselves and features from around Linmere. The school encouraged classes to work together in creating the final hoarding design.
The uplifting design features a chain of children holding hands surrounded by nature. The trees in the design feature leaves that include words and phrases that mean community to the children including, respect, individual liberty, law and order and embrace differences. The hoarding was unveiled at a ceremony attended by representatives from Land Improvement Holding, Stonebond and bpha, as well as some of the children whose artwork features in the design.
Ben Phillips, Development Director responsible for Linmere, at LIH, joined the team congratulating the children on their brilliant design, commenting:
“The Linmere site is a key strategic development for the area around Houghton Regis. It is important for us to foster long term relationships, with the local community so we can ensure what is delivered works for those living in and moving to the development. We have worked to ensure we deliver community elements of the Linmere development first, so there is a place to build and develop these relationships. I’m delighted with the work the Thornhill Children have done and think it provides a colourful and uplifting addition to the site.”
Annette Cole, Sales and Marketing Director at Stonebond contributed:
“Linmere is growing into a significant new neighbourhood, with many new mixed-tenure homes, retail spaces and new public green spaces. Involving the existing community in this journey is a fundamental aspect of good placemaking, and we were delighted to work with pupils from Thornhill Primary School to design this latest site hoarding.”
Jeff Astle, Director of Development & Sales at bpha, noted:
“Helping to build and connect communities is an important aspect of all bpha new home developments. We are delighted that young people are already getting involved in contributing to the look and feel of Linmere.”
Thornhill pupils point out their individual contributions to the hoarding
Thornhill pupils celebrate their efforts before heading back to class.
We want to thank the whole of Thornhill School for their involvement in this project. You can enjoy their excellent efforts next time you visit Lidl. The hoarding is sitting next to the entrance / exit to the car park. When you do, we think you’ll agree they’ve done a fantastic job!
Linmere is designed to be a place for communities that embraces the natural environment, and where all generations can enjoy a great quality of life. This exciting new collection of leafy and walkable neighbourhoods, situated north of Houghton Regis Bedfordshire, located close to M1 Junction 11a. Nestled into verdant surroundings, its first homes completed and inhabited in 2021. The Land Trust will maintain and preserve these spaces on behalf of Houghton Regis Management Company.
