WORK to replace “defective” homes in north Taunton could begin early next year after plans were approved.

Taunton Deane Borough Council has been working with residents of north Taunton on a scheme to replace or refurbish Woolaway homes, which were  declared “defective” by central government in the mid-1980s.

In one of its final actions, the authority’s planning committee granted permission on Wednesday evening (March 27) to construct up to 230 new homes in the Priorswood area to replace the substandard properties.

The first phase of construction, which will include a new community centre for local residents, will begin early in 2020.

Samantha Plunkett, who lives in one of the existing Woolaway homes, thanked the council for consulting with residents in such detail, describing it as “a roller-coaster journey”.

She added: “Our current homes do not currently meet the needs of our elderly, vulnerable, disabled or extended families.

“The current homes are substandard cold and prone to damp. We want this to move forward sooner rather than later”.

Robin Joyce, who was involved in the design process, asked the council to keep residents’ needs at the forefront during the construction process.

He said: “Do not lose sight of the fact that you are dealing with people’s lives and their homes – not just houses.”

“There has been hair-pulling and sleepless nights, but it has been worth it.”

Two applications were unanimously approved by the committee – one for detailed designs of the first phase (comprising the community, 26 replacement homes and 21 additional properties), and one for outline proposals for the remaining four phases of the regeneration.

The community centre will be built on land between Lyngford Lane and Dorchester Road, and work could begin as early as the spring of 2020.

The work will be undertaken by the new Somerset West and Taunton Council, which replaced Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council on Monday (April 1).

Amanda Taylor, design director at Nash Partnership (which has been working with the council and residents for the last 18 months), has welcomed the committee’s decision.

She said: “Having worked closely with residents we are really pleased to see the first step forward in regenerating the local community and building better, more suitable homes for residents.

“Residents have played such an important part in shaping the future of this area. We have taken on board their input and ideas to design homes and a layout that will work for them.

“The consultation has set a benchmark which will raise the bar for any development that happens here, and will ultimately help to create a thriving, successful place.”

The new homes will range from one-bedroom flats and bungalows to three-bedroom chalets and five-bedroom houses.

More detailed plans for the other phases of the regeneration will be submitted for approval to the new council in due course.