Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
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Articles
Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 10 Nov 1956
Page 6 Column 3 and 4
A TAUNTON EYE-SORE IS GOING – AT LAST
WORK STARTED ON FLATS IN KING-STREET AREA
ACTION is at last being taken to redevelop the Taunton “eye-sore” - the slum area of King-street and Duke-street.
Work in the building of 12 two-bedroom flats in a three-storey block at a cost of £20,850, has been started by the contractors, Messrs. F. and E. SMALL.
At next Tuesday's meeting the Borough Council will be recommended to accept a tender for the demolition of the slum property in the area.
Complete redevelopment of the site has been scheduled, and it is proposed to build several blocks of flats around a central area, possibly leaving room for garages and an open space.
20 Years' Discussion
The work has been the subject of discussion in the town for about 20 years, and many plans have been considered. A few years ago the Council built a few flats on one side of Duke-street.
When the Building is completed in about two years there will be between 40 and 50 flats. The present building has meant the closure of St. Augustine-street end of King-street, for the block of flats will stretch across that part of King-street.
The Town Clerk, Mr. K. HORNE, stated on Thursday that because of possible danger to children using the area as a playground, the work was being pushed forward as soon as possible.
Contractors are making good progress with the building of 37 old people's dwellings at Holway. It is hoped that they will be finished by the early part of next year.