Work has resumed on a scheme to develop new social housing in Taunton.
Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) is providing eight new housing units for social rent on a disused garage site in Laxton Road.
The two-person, one-bed flats in blocks of three storeys will see future residents benefit from high quality, energy efficient housing and will help to address the need in the town.
Work began in November 2019 but was halted due to the Covid-19 lockdown. The contractors Classic Builders have now restarted with appropriate social distancing and safe working practices in place.
The programme was due to be completed in September, and Classic Builders are now doing everything they can to make up for lost time, aiming for completion around November.
To help achieve this the contractors may occasionally need to extend working hours on site. This would mean extending the normal working day to 6.30pm and 3.30pm on a Saturday, however, this would only happen if it is of benefit to the overall completion of the accommodation.
SWT’s Executive Member for Housing, Cllr Fran Smith, said: “I am delighted that work has been able to restart on this site under carefully controlled conditions and look forward to seeing the properties occupied in the future.
SWT is committed to providing more social housing to suit different members of the community. This is one of our first social rented housing schemes in the area and will make a real difference to the quality of life for some of our eligible residents.
Social rented housing is usually lower than privately rented housing and provides a long-term tenancy, giving renters the chance to put down roots.