Knightstone Housing Association, Arc Homes, Abbey Manor Limited and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have 'broken new ground', to mark the start of work on a multi million-pound housing development at Firepool Lock in Taunton.

The partners held a ground-breaking ceremony to officially start the work on site to develop 108 new apartments. The ceremony was conducted by Ian Knight, Head of Area South at the HCA, Stewart Wright, Chairman of Knightstone Housing Association and the Mayor of Taunton Deane, Councillor Jefferson Horsley.

The £11 million project was partly funded by the HCA, which has invested more than £3.5m in its delivery, and the Council. When complete, the 108 new homes will be available for affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

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Regarded as being one of the most important developments to shape Taunton's future, Firepool Lock forms a significant part of the Council's 'Project Taunton' initiative.

Mike Day, Knightstone’s Director of Development and Home Ownership and Managing Director of Arc Homes, said: "The ground breaking ceremony marks the start of building work on site. We’re very excited to see the work begin and celebrate the work the partnership has done to get us to this point. We’ve been working with Abbey Manor, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Project Taunton for the last eight years, so it’s great to see the building works finally started. The site will provide much needed affordable homes for local people and I’m looking forward to seeing the development take shape over the coming months."

Local contractors Mi-Space are building the new homes which are being built in two blocks.

Completion of these homes is planned for February 2012.

(CD/GK)