An agreement has been signed between the South West RDA and Mendip Housing to regenerate the Beckery Cottages at the Morlands Enterprise Park.

The 12 red brick 1930s cottages will be renovated to become affordable housing for the Glastonbury and Street community.

Paul Calvert, property manager at the South West RDA, said: "There have been many twists and turns along the way but we're delighted to have reached this important landmark in the regeneration of Morlands, which will also provide much-needed affordable housing for the local community."

Mendip Housing is a non-profit making housing association that owns and manages more than 4,200 homes across central Somerset. It provides quality affordable housing for local people of all age groups. It is part of the Aster Group which carries out the development work of the association.


Managing Director Alan Brunt said: "We're looking forward to making a start on these cottages. Once work has finished we'll have eight two-bedroomed houses and four three-bedroomed houses with new kitchens and bathrooms, double glazed windows, good insulation and up to date heating systems which will help the new tenants who move in make a real home for themselves."

As the housing authority, Mendip District Council has been in long discussions with the RDA and Mendip Housing to ensure these cottages are brought back into use.

As part of the partnership working, the council has granted £71,500 to Mendip Housing to help with the refurbishment of the homes so that even more families in Mendip can benefit from empty homes being brought back to life. One of the council's key roles is to monitor and work with building owners to ensure that empty properties do not remain unoccupied.

The cottages used to be inhabited by workers at the Morlands site before becoming rented property. The South West RDA then re-housed the tenants before demolition and remediation started at Morlands.

(JM/BMcC)