FRIENDS and colleagues of Oxford United fan Les Denny hope to keep his memory alive in a road name.

Littlemore parish councillors wants one of the new streets at the disused allotments at East Minchery Farm to be called ‘Denny Gardens’.

The city council wants to build 40 affordable homes on the site, bordered by Priory Road, the Oxford Academy and a railway line. A planning application is due to be submitted once officers have considered feedback from two public exhibitions.

Littlemore Parish Council chairman Anne Mogridge paid tribute to Mr Denny at the annual parish meeting last week. She said: “He was a great supporter of the parish and a great character to have on the parish council. We do miss him.”

Mrs Mogridge added the parish council had not been asked for suggestions for street names.

She said: “On the day the consultation took place there were street names up and they were asking people to pick. I said ‘hang on, we normally get a choice.’”

Mr Denny, who was christened Leslie but always known to friends and family as Les or ‘the councillor’, died aged 87 on January 26.

The Oxford United fan and grandfather-of-two served on Littlemore Parish Council for 10 years, originally joining to minimise the impact of the Kassam Stadium on the community during its construction.

A knowledgeable gardener, he planted about 30 trees on Oxford’s Littlemore roundabout and was secretary of Minchery Farm Allotment Association for more than 40 years.

Louisa Dean, Oxford City Council spokeswoman, said: “We welcome suggested street names for the proposed development. At the public consultation event in April, East Minchery Gardens emerged as the most popular choice among residents.”

“There is no immediate deadline for suggestions and all will be considered, providing they comply with the council’s street naming and numbering policy.

“This states that proposals relating to a deceased person’s name will not be permitted unless there is a proven historical connection to land intended for development, or a proposal is put forward for commemorative purposes.

“The council would also require acceptance from the person’s family.”

Mr Denny’s daughter Michele said: “He would be really chuffed if they named it after him and we would be honoured. Denny Gardens is really fitting.”