LONG-SERVING councillors Barry and Jacqueline Coppock have had a new road named in their honour.

Coppock Close is where 20 one and two bed bungalows have been built at Newington, Ramsgate, on the former site of East and West Rise flats.

The Coppocks, who represented Newington, have just retired from the district council. It brings to an end political careers that saw Barry as leader and chairman of the council and Jacqueline hold the office of Mayor of Ramsgate.

Thanet Community Housing Association bought the East and West Rise site from the council and the scheme £1.5 million, of which nearly £900,000 was funded by the Housing Corporation. The Association provided the rest of the money.

A TCHA spokesman said: “This significant development has addressed a number of key priorities for both TCHA and Thanet District Council in regenerating existing estates and providing new homes. The association has a continuing programme of development in other parts of Thanet to provide high quality modern homes.”

The development was opened by former Thanet council cabinet member for housing, Mary Derrane, who cut a ribbon stretched across the road. Thanet South MP Stephen Ladyman and Newington councillor Richard Nicholson were among guests at the ceremony.