What is a Willat? I ask because Linden Homes has chosen to rename what we, in Bradford on Avon, think of as Kingston Mills, The Willats.

Is this, perhaps, some obscure weaving term chosen as a tribute to the site’s distant past, as in ‘the willat flew silently across the loom?’ Or maybe ‘the tread is only a few willats thick’ to reflect its history as part of Avon Rubber.

And will The Willats – better suited anyway to some leafy cul-de-sac in the Home Counties – spawn further examples of developer-ese, such as Grommet Court and Ratchet Avenue, instead of names which have some connection with the locality?

Linden Homes have every right to rename Kingston Mills if they so wish, but to do so is to deny its history.

If they felt so strongly the need for a name change, then why not invite suggestions from the town? And why, incidentally, does it sport a white dove as an emblem? Is this because they expect the site to flood, and a white dove will be the only means whereby the inhabitants can communicate with the outside world?

Edward Booth, Market Street, Bradford on Avon.