CHILDREN in Barton have been given the honour of naming Oxford’s largest development in a generation.

Development company Grosvenor – which is working on the Barton West development with Oxford City Council – has decided to name the new estate Barton Park.

The decision was made after a series of consultations at the annual Barton Bash event and at Bayards Hill Primary School.

Grosvenor’s James Robinson said the name was the “overwhelming” choice from the children.

He said: “Because of the number of different names for the development we thought we needed to establish an identity for the location.

“We want to create a special place. We have been driven by the word ‘exemplar’.

“The children at Bayards Hill School were asked to do a naming and drawing sessions and Barton Park was the overwhelming choice.

“There were half a dozen names and in the end we gave it to the children.”

Bayards Hill headteacher Keith Ponsford said: “It is very good for the children to be involved right from the start and kept informed about what is happening in their area.

“It is all very exciting.”

It comes as work on the development is gathering pace as the first parcel of land at Barton West is put up for sale and plans to lower the speed limit along the A40 next year are unveiled.