More than 100 new council houses to be built in Taunton

Somerset West and Taunton Council has committed millions of pounds towards replacing “defective” Woolaway homes in the North Taunton area, providing 228 new homes and a community centre for the area.

Construction of the first phase, comprising 47 homes, began in August 2021, with the council stating in February 2022 that the first tenants would begin moving in by the spring.

The authority's planning committee has now approved plans for the next phase of the Woolaway scheme, which will see 136 existing homes demolished and replaced with 111 new builds.

Progress on the Woolaway scheme has been delayed by the Dutch N court ruling and the resulting phosphates crisis, which is holding up the construction of thousands of homes across Somerset – especially in the former Taunton Deane area.

Numerous councillors gave their support to the proposals when the council’s planning committee met in Taunton on Thursday afternoon (July 21).

Councillor Roger Habgood said: “We’re replacing houses which were not fit for purpose with houses that are.

“Most of us are very well aware of the whole scheme and, I have to say, are well-educated in terms of the benefit to the town. We need to just get on with it.”

Councillor Marcia Hill added: “This has been very close to my heart ever since they first came up with the idea.

“I’ve always agreed with it and the way that it’s been planned, done and consulted upon – it’s a wonderful job that they’ve done so far and I wouldn’t like to hold it up from moving on.”

Councillor Brenda Weston – whose Priorswood ward includes the site – stated: “The officers have worked so hard on this on the ground.

“I’ve been talking to the tenants regularly and am looking forward to seeing the finished article.”

A decision is expected later in the year on plans for a separate phase of the same scheme, which will see a total of 27 homes on Bodmin Road, Dorchester Road and Ludlow Avenue refurbished.