A MULTI-million pound affordable housing development in the heart of Taunton has been opened officially by Taunton Deane Borough Council Leader Councillor Ross Henley.

The scheme, developed by Sanctuary Group, entailed the imaginative conversion of the old BT building in The Crescent into a stylish complex of 75 apartments – a mix of social rented and shared ownership homes – renamed Ladysmith House.

The opening ceremony, where Ross Henley, Leader of Taunton Dean Borough Council unveiled a plaque, was the culmination of a partnership project between Sanctuary Group, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Strongvox and the Housing Corporation.

Sanctuary committed £5.4m into the scheme with the Council pumping an additional £1.8m and the Housing Corporation £2.7m. Strongvox were appointed to undertake the high quality refurbishment works.

Cllr Henley, who was joined by Taunton MP Jeremy Browne at the official opening, said the new flats were both impressive and stylish, adding: “Provision of affordable housing is one of the greatest challenges for councils and society in general and to see 75 high quality homes is great news and a tremendous boost for affordable housing locally.

“This is a shining example of collaborative working and shows what we can achieve in Taunton Deane.”

Mr Browne praised the sustainability of the development and said its location so close to the town centre would help regenerate the heart of Taunton and add to its atmosphere and prosperity.