Joanmount estate was developed by Sir William Frederick Neill (1889-1960), an estate agent and an Ulster Unionist politician. He was Lord Mayor of Belfast from 1946 to 1949 and MP for North Belfast from 1945 to 1950. Neill bought the land from Cliftonville Golf Club, which was thereby reduced from 18 holes to 9 holes, and he named the estate after his daughter Joan. Some of the streets in Joanmount were named after places in Great Britain - Hoylake, Formby, Meyrick, Coombehill and Prestwick. From the blog of Nelson McCausland. "Resolved - That the following names for new street be approved: "Hoylake Park", "Formby Park", "Wallasey Park" and "Prestwick Drive", for new streets off Oldpark Road on the property of Mr. W. Neill. (IC, 20th January 1936).
Further Information
This is the same W.F. Neill: "Mr. W. F. Neill, the well-known estate agent in Donegall Street, has acquired on behalf of a company, preliminary building developments, the extensive area of land owned by the Old Park Print Works, including the ground and ground rents. The estate comprises some 75 acres, 20 of which have previously been developed by the erection of house property. The deal has been effected under conditions of resale to the Print Work Co. of their own works, which cover some 20 acres. The balance of 32 or 33 acres will be developed by the erection of villa property ranging from £350 to £7OO per house. The provision of new housing and the incidental employment which the building operations will provide are gratifying aspects this latest deal in North Belfast". (Northern Whig - Saturday 01 April 1933)