Two new schemes will see 65 green homes built in Taunton and Minehead

Somerset West and Taunton Council has published details of two new schemes which would see existing land in its ownership turned into new low-cost, environmentally friendly housing.

The former Oxford Inn in Taunton will be demolished and replaced with new homes, while land near Minehead’s community hospital will become the site of new flats, houses and bungalows.

The council is in the process of securing planning permission for both schemes, with a view to construction being completed in both areas by the summer of 2023.

Artist's impression of 54 new homes on Seaward Way in Minehead. Pic: Mitchell Architects.

An update on both schemes was presented to the council’s scrutiny committee when it met virtually on Wednesday evening (November 11).

The Minehead scheme comprises 54 new ‘low carbon’ properties on Seaward Way, adjacent to new industrial units which are also being built on council land.

The site lies next to the town’s cricket club, the community hospital and sports pitched currently used by West Somerset College.

Magna Housing Association previously expressed interest in developing the site and obtained permission to build 40 new homes in the area in October 2019 – but it has since withdrawn this expression of interest.

Of the 54 new properties, 33 will be one- or two-bedroom flats, with the remainder being two- to four-bedroom houses or bungalows.

Formal plans will be submitted by the council this winter, with a view to construction beginning by the spring or summer of 2021.

The Seaward Way Site in Minehead, looking East towards Plover Close. Pic: Somerset West And Taunton Council.

Wendy Lewis, the council’s specialist housing development manager, said in her written report: “The scheme will re-purpose an existing council asset into much-needed housing stock for our residents in the former West Somerset area, together with community benefit from high performing houses that are cost-efficient to maintain.

“It will also result in the improved general appearance of the area and the gateway to Minehead.”

The Taunton scheme will see the former Oxford Inn on Roman Road demolished and replaced 11 new dwellings as a ‘zero-carbon’ affordable homes pilot scheme.

Of these new dwellings, nine would be one-bedroom flats and two would be two-bedroom houses.

Housing development manager Shane Smith said in his written report: “The site is currently occupied by a vacant public house, which has a history of poor performance for the leaseholders as a business and for us as the landlord.

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

“The Oxford Inn has limited value as a community facility. The loss of the public house would have a negligible effect on local access to similar community facilities.

“Renovating and continuing to operate the property as a public house is significantly unviable and in no way sustainable.”

The Oxford Inn on Roman Road in Taunton. Pic: Google Maps.

The council intends to submit formal plans for the scheme in the summer of 2021, with a view to construction starting on site the following year.

The full cost of bringing both schemes forward has not been published due to commercial sensitivity.

However, the council has confirmed the Minehead scheme will benefit from £470,000 of contributions secured from the Hinkley Point C power station, as well as just over £58,000 of contributions transferred from the Ellicombe Meadow development.

The council is also putting in a bid to Homes England, a government body which provides funding to “unlock” difficult sites for development.

The new homes on both sites will be offered at “affordable rent” levels, which are set between 60 per cent and 80 per cent of the market rate.

Councillor Fran Smith, portfolio holder for housing, said that securing new home as the lower “social rent” levels was proving very challenging.

She said: “It is very difficult, and everything we are putting on these sites to make them low- or zero-carbon is pushing us towards affordable rent.

“I am hoping we can get the rent as close to 60 per cent of the market rate, rather than 80 per cent.”

Attenuation Pond under construction at The Seaward Way Site in Minehead. Pic: Somerset West And Taunton Council.

Councillor Keith Wheatley added: “This administration was elected saying we were going to build houses – and my goodness, we’re building them.

“This is a portfolio holder who’s really got a grip of what she’s in charge of, and I’d like to publicly say that loud and clear.”

The two schemes will be discussed further by the council’s executive committee on Wednesday (November 18) and then the full council on December 1.