Rosemary Kneale, widow of well-known farmer and town commissioner Lancie Kneale, has cut the tape marking completion of the first of four detached homes in Claughbane Avenue, Ramsey. She was accompanied to the event by her daughter Jenny Harrison.

The land on which the four dormer bungalows are being built was once part of Claughbane Farm, which the Kneale family owned for many decades.

The man behind the development, Alan Cope acquired Claughbane Farm, complete with planning permission, 30 years ago. He built on it the island’s first private sheltered housing, Ballastowell Gardens, grouping the 65 units into ’closes’ which he named Christian, Starkey, Kermode and Kelly, after various prominent townspeople.

He sold a portion of the land for the development of Brookfield Nursing Home, but the last remaining field remained undeveloped, subject to many unsuccessful planning applications.

Planning approval finally being granted last year, Mr Cope wasted no time in getting on with the task.

The dwellings now taking shape were designed by local architect Glen Kinrade and are being constructed by the Village Workshop. Each has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, meet high insulation specifications, and have off-street parking.

Town clerk Peter Whiteway, commissioners’ chairman Andy Cowie and lead member for works and development Albert Oldham were among those who attended the tape-cutting.

Mr Cowie said: ’They’re really nice houses, deceptively spacious, and I think they fit in very well with the neighbourhood. We are delighted to see this site being developed and believe it shows confidence in the future of Ramsey’.

Mr Cope told the gathering: ’Lancie knew of my intentions to name a development after him, but sadly he died before this could happen’.

The future occupants of No. 1 Kneale Court are a young couple, Tilly Davies and Ray Kelly. As an interesting footnote, Ray’s forebears were Kneales, from the same northside farming family as the man their new home is named after.