Proposals to demolish Taunton's Oxford Inn

The Oxford Inn, which is owned by Somerset West and Taunton Council, is currently closed.

The building, on the corner of Roman Road and Outer Circle, has a "history of poor performance" and is "in a poor state of repair".

Proposals to bulldoze the premises and replace them with carbon zero homes will be discussed by the council's executive committee next Wednesday.

A report to councillors says: "The scheme will demolish the existing buildings and new homes will be built broadly on the existing footprint.

"The development will result in the improvement of the appearance of this prominent corner site and deliver very energy efficient housing with low energy bills for the residents in line with the benefits envisage of the council’s Zero Carbon Affordable Homes Pilot."

Currently, the council is working on proposals for nine one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom houses, although that could change down the line.

The affordable homes would be rented out at between 60 and 80 per cent of market rates.

The report adds: "The site is currently occupied by a vacant public house (The Oxford Inn), which has a history of poor performance for the leaseholders as a business and for the council as landlord.

"This poor performance has led to neglect and the building is in a poor state of repair."

The property has been vacant for "some time" and the report says the Covid-19 crisis has reduced the viability of the pub, which has "limited value as a community facility".

It is not seen as viable or sustainable to renovate the Oxford Inn and to keep it as a pub.

An issue the council has to consider is whether the new homes would result in additional phosphates in the Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area, which would need to be mitigated through a compensation package.