Taunton residents ousted to make way for Creechbarrow Road redevelopment

Residents on a Taunton road may be forced to find new homes following the approval of an £11 million redevelopment project.

The redevelopment scheme will see approximately 50 new Council Houses built on a section of Creechbarrow Road in Halcon, Taunton.

A proposal for Knighstone Housing Association to build 30 'new affordable properties' in another section of the road was also approved.

Current Creechbarrow Road residents may be forced to find alternative homes. The council say their priority now is to help the residents find new homes and assist them in moving.

This is the first time in over 20 years that Councillors have approved a redevelopment scheme where the Council will build and retain ownership of new properties.

The new properties will be a combination of flats and family homes, with some flats specifically designed for the elderly.

Councillor Jean Adkins, the council's Housing Services chief, said: "I am very pleased that we now have a definite decision, ending much of the uncertainty for local residents.

"We look forward to working with the community on the design and to seeing the first Council Houses built in Taunton Deane in near on quarter of a century."

Wendy Lewis, Regional Development Manager for Knightstone Housing, said: "We are delighted that this scheme has now been approved. We are looking forward to building new, highly sustainable homes in this area."

Taunton Deane hope that a planning application for the redevelopment will be submitted in April 2013 and that by autumn 2013 construction will start.

A consultation will be held where the wider community, including residents and neigbours can comment on design proposals. The date for this will be announced soon.