REGENERATION is coming to one area of Taunton as the council seeks to improve council houses. 

A consultation has been started for people in the North Taunton area, specifically Dorchester Road and Rochester Road.

Taunton Deane Borough Council is looking for opinions from people living in or near Woolaway properties to find out the best solution. 

Woolaway properties are made from concrete columns, beams and panels, and were used post-war as they could be built very quickly. But this type of housing was designated as "defective" in the 1984 Housing Defects Act - meaning they will deteriorate in the near future. 

Somerset County Gazette:

The authority owns around 170 around the town, dating back to the 1950s, mostly in the the Dorchester Road area. The properties are a mix of houses and flats.

Letters have gone out to people in this area starting a 12-month consultation period asking residents for their views on how to progress.

"It is now known that Woolaway houses, can suffer deterioration in the structure that affects their life span and the Government universally designated these houses as defective in the Housing Defects Act 1984," said Cllr Terry Beale, Executive member for housing services.

“This does not mean there are any immediate safety problems with the properties but their reduced lifespan means we, as a Council, need to consider ways of making sure that our homes are fit for the future. 

“We really want to work with our residents and hope they will get involved as they will really be able to shape their own neighbourhood.” 

Government funding has enabled TDBC to start the project. The funding will help pay for experts to work with the council on the technical aspects. 

It is not yet known if current tennants will have to move out of their homes but TDBC says that temporary or permanent rehousing will take place if necessary.

A community involvement event is being held on October 4 between 10.30am until 7pm at St Peter's Church Hall, Eastwick Road. 

Residents with questions or concerns are asked to contact housing.development@tauntondeane.gov.uk or call 01823 219159.