Somerset Council has completed the sale of C Block of County Hall in Taunton.
It has been purchased by Prime, a specialist developer of health and care property, which intends to redevelop the 4,600 metre building to provide new key worker accommodation for the town.
The building was made available for sale following a review of assets in line with the council’s Asset Management Strategy, and was approved by the Executive in November 2023. The sale releases funds which will help the council to protect and deliver vital services.
New accommodation in the C Block building will be operated by Hyve, a not-for-profit provider of key worker housing. Hyve accommodation is exclusively for people working to provide public services.
The council says Prime chose to purchase the site due to its close proximity to Musgrove Park Hospital, and its potential to provide housing for staff in easy walking distance of the hospital.
Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Strategic Asset Management said: “We are very pleased to see this sale completed.
When Somerset Council was formed in 2023, we committed to reviewing our estate and making the right decisions, including selling buildings that were no longer required, to generate income that will play a part in protecting vital services for residents.
This sale is a great example of the positive changes and steps we are taking to address the budget gap we face.
“Providing accommodation to our county’s keyworkers is also a great opportunity and we look forward to seeing these plans progress.”
Prime will be making an application to Somerset Council’s planning department for a change of use for the building to key worker accommodation.
If successful, it will begin design work and invite the local community to take part in the development at public drop-in sessions.
