WORK has started on demolishing properties at the heart of Rockwell Green to make way for new homes.

Among the buildings being flattened is the Weavers Arms, which has been closed for some time.

Taunton Deane Borough Council is investing heavily in building new properties following a change in the rules around public housing finance, sparking a revival in council house-building.

The Rockwell Green scheme will see a total of 26 new homes, replacing Woolaway homes at Oaken Ground in a £3.5million investment.

The site will accommodate 12 one-bedroom flats to satisfy local demand, three two-bedroom bungalows, six two-bedroom houses, four three-bedroom houses and one four-bedroom property.

It is hoped the site will be completed in 18 months’ time.

Some tenants, who left their properties to make way for the development, plan to return and will find their new homes far more energy efficient and cheaper to run.

The council is not only investing in building new properties but also in keeping its existing housing stock of about 6,000 homes in good repair. The current and future works programme includes refurbishing kitchens and bathrooms, replacing heating systems and modernising external features such as fascias.

Cllr John Williams, leader of the council, says a real need exists for homes that people can afford to rent or to buy and the council’s own house-building programme is vitally important.

“I am delighted that rules governing public sector housing finance were changed which allowed us to start building our own properties after a gap of more than 20 years,” he added.