People have one week left to make their mark in London’s history by suggesting names for five new neighbourhoods that will be built on the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after the 2012 Games.

‘Your Park, Your Place’ gives people the chance to help shape the future of the Park, which will open in phases to the public from 2013, with families moving into the first new homes in 2015.

So far, the we have received more than 1,200 entries with inspiration coming from historical uses of the area such as gunpowder mills and former factories, as well as famous figures including Olympians Chris Hoy and Sir Steve Redgrave. They include ‘Redgravia’, ‘Hoy Gateway’, ‘Templar Mills’, ‘Olympic Park Hill’, ‘Lavender Fields’, ‘Plastiside’ and ‘The Rings’.

People have until Wednesday 18th May 2011 to make their suggestions to us at our dedicated competition section on this site www.legacycompany.co.uk/competition

The competition section features an interactive map with descriptions of how the areas will look, along with historical information, to help people get a feel for the new neighbourhoods.

Andrew Altman, Chief Executive of the Olympic Park Legacy Company, said:

” ‘Your Park, Your Place’ has inspired people to come up with some fantastic suggestions for neighbourhood names. There is still one week left to make an entry that could become etched in London’s history. If you have an idea, we want to hear it.”

Sir Steve Redgrave, who won five gold medals in five successive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000, said:

“I am truly honoured that people want to name a neighbourhood after me. ‘Your Park, Your Place’ is a wonderful way to get people involved in the plans for the future Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. These neighbourhoods will be situated among world-class venues, which will be a great incentive for families to get involved in sport.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“It’s great to see so many people embracing the competition and battling it out for a chance to forge a bit of Olympic and Paralympic history. London has some of the most iconic place names in the world and, who knows, ‘Redgravia’ or ‘Hoy Gateway’ could join the list in years to come. I’m sure there are plenty more inspired suggestions out there, so if you have an idea for a neighbourhood name then step forward now for your chance to make your mark in shaping the future of the Olympic Park.”

Communities Minister, Bob Neill MP, said:

“It is fantastic to see such a great response to this competition and it demonstrates a real desire among people in the UK  to play a part in shaping this new community.”

Entries will be judged by a panel including representatives from the neighbouring boroughs, local residents, Government, the Museum of London Archaeology Service and the Olympic Park Legacy Company.

They will select a name for each of the neighbourhoods from the entries, based on factors including popularity, historical referencing and their relation to the area’s diverse communities.

The Legacy Company is encouraging local schools to take part in the competition, along with local community centres, faith centres and sports centres.

The first neighbourhood to be developed will be located between the VeloPark and the Athletes Village in the north-east of the Park. The neighbourhood will be centred around 800 new homes and 3,000 sq m of community and ancillary facilities, including a polyclinic, two nurseries and a community centre.

The four other neighbourhoods will be in the north-west of the Park, next to Hackney Wick; in the Old Ford area, in the south-west of the Park; between Stratford City and the Stadium, to the south-east of the Stadium; and near Pudding Mill Station (see www.legacycompany.co.uk/competition for further details about the areas).

Over the next 20 years they will accommodate up to 8,000 new homes, supported by a network of new schools, nurseries, health centres and community spaces, sitting alongside the sporting venues and 6.5 km of waterways and open spaces, that will host a range of cultural and sporting attractions.

The homes will combine tradition and innovation with the development including modern versions of London’s traditional Georgian and Victorian squares and terraces, as well as riverside properties. Up to 35% of them will be affordable housing, in-line with the Mayor’s London Plan

The five new neighbourhoods will open in phases to the public from 2013, with families moving into the first new homes in 2015.