Somerset West and Taunton Council is delighted to welcome the first residents to its flagship Coal Orchard development.
The Council is working with the University of Plymouth’s Peninsula Medical School to provide accommodation for medical students who are training at Musgrove Park Hospital and working within a series of hospital and general practice-based community placements for the academic year 21-22.
It is leasing eleven units in the Coal Orchard development to the University giving, access to flexible, quality accommodation for their students near to the hospital whilst being in the heart of the town centre.
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Leader of SWT, said: “Coal Orchard is an important site in our regeneration plans to bring new vitality to the town centre and I am excited to welcome our first residents to this stunning development.
“These students will be training in our local hospital, playing their part in ensuring the health of our communities and contributing to our economy.
“We have all seen the amazing work carried out by the health service during the pandemic and I am delighted that we are able to make this space available to the University giving our support to the medical professionals of the future.”
Professor Hisham Khalil, Head of Peninsula Medical School at the University of Plymouth, said: “As the largest provider of health care training in the South West, the University of Plymouth is proud to be developing the health workforce of tomorrow, and the accommodation provided by Somerset West and Taunton Council will enable our students to complete a vital year in their training.
“Its location means that our medical students can work closely within the hospital and the local community, so we are very grateful for the opportunity.”
In addition to the units leased to the University, residential estate agents Connells have ten sales reservations for apartments across the three blocks.
The Quay will be the first of the three accommodation blocks finished at the Coal Orchard, with The Wharf and the Jetty to follow.
The Council is working with the contractor to ensure that sections of the public realm will be opened as soon as they are safely able to allow the benefits of the development with its plaza and stepped terrace to the River Tone available to all.
Potential homeowners can browse a sales brochure and website for Taunton’s prime riverside quarter – Riverside at Coal Orchard Development (riversidecoalorchard.co.uk)
Registrations of interest in the commercial units can also be made on the same website.