Somerset Council is set to spend nearly £37,000 on securing a block of empty council flats in Taunton, recent tender documents reveal.
The council’s large block of 36 flats on Duke Street was previously home to tenants until the autumn of 2025. The residents were relocated to allow complex repairs to the building’s pipework, which posed serious safety concerns.
Nearly a year later, the council’s housing team continues to evaluate the full scope of repairs required to bring the block back into use. Meanwhile, a now-deleted LinkedIn post from Screen Somerset, a council-affiliated body that promotes filming in the county, advertising the building as a potential filming location, has come to light.
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The tender documents disclose that the council awarded a contract worth £36,960 to private security firm W4G Fire & Security Ltd, based in Exeter, to safeguard the site. This contract is expected to run until the spring of 2027.
Details specify the security measures will include the erection of fencing around the property. This fencing is similar to that used in other local regeneration projects, such as the North Taunton Woolaway scheme. The contract duration-from 26 June 2026 to 31 March 2027-suggests major repair work may commence after this period, unless the agreement is extended.
A council spokesperson commented, “The Duke Street flats were affected by serious problems with concealed pipework, which could not be repaired while residents remained in occupation and our priority was their safety. As a result, residents were provided with temporary alternative accommodation between late summer and December 2025.”
They continued, “We are continuing to assess the full extent of works required and considering whether additional repairs and improvements should also be carried out while the building is vacant. The intention remains to understand the best long-term solution for the block and its residents.”
The spokesperson assured that the council remains committed to keeping tenants informed: “We remain committed to keeping residents informed about progress on the Duke Street project and will continue to update them as plans develop.”
Regarding the use of the building for filming, a spokesperson clarified, “While the building is empty, we are exploring a range of ways to make responsible use of vacant assets. Some external areas of Duke Street, such as the roof, walkways and stairwells have been identified as locations that could potentially be of interest to film and television productions. No filming has been agreed and there is currently no estimate of any potential income.”
They added, “Any requests would be considered on their individual merits and, importantly, the council would engage with tenants before granting permission for filming activities at the site.”
Further updates on the Duke Street project are expected to be provided at upcoming meetings of the council’s tenants strategic group, which convenes monthly.