WELLINGTON town councillors have expressed their anger over the Deane's housing chief allegedly snubbing their invitation.

The council has been discussing the delay in the completion of the Oaken Ground development in Rockwell Green at its most recent meetings.

A number of existing houses and the Weavers Arms pub were demolished in 2016 to clear the site for the 26 ‘social’ homes, which were then changed to become a number of ‘affordable’ homes, instead. The homes will be a mix of 21 ’affordable’ properties.

To explain the delay, the council invited Taunton Deane Borough Council's portfolio holder for housing services, Terry Beale, to its October meeting on Monday night (October 1).

But town clerk Greg Dyke says all invitations, including numerous phone calls and emails, were ignored.

"It’s completely unacceptable the Taunton Deane portfolio holder cannot respond to a town council with legitimate concerns,” said Cllr Andy Govier. “I understand that some properties are now ready to move into but they can’t be used until the whole site is completed.”

“It’s a complete shambles no one from Taunton Deane cares.” said Cllr Marcus Barr, who added he’d been told about sub-contractors going unpaid and a general lack of effective management at the site.

Other councillors added they had also tried to gain answers from Cllr Beale but without success.

Mr Dyke said he would continue to press TDBC for a response to the council.

According to Taunton Deane Borough Council, Cllr Beale had informed WTC he would be unable to attend.

A TDBC spokesperson said: “Cllr Beale was informed that he would be invited to the WTC meeting on October 1 and did make it clear at the time that he would be unable to attend due to prior commitments.

"Unfortunately Cllr Beale missed the email invitation from the Clerk but apologised as soon as he was made aware of this.”