Project Taunton: Regenerating Taunton’s Town Centre

Taunton's 'Guerrilla Gardeners'

A team of volunteers from Taunton's 'Transition Town' had the blessing of Taunton Deane Borough Council to turn urban areas of Taunton into green oases. 

The pilot project took place in Somerset Square – the open space by the Brewhouse Theatre – where the culinary herb thyme has been planted.

Ian Franklin, the head of Project Taunton, which is responsible for regenerating the area, said he hopes other areas will be taken under the guerrilla gardeners’ wing.

He said: “Regeneration is not just about new buildings – it’s about making places great to live in, visit and enjoy. I hope that people living near Somerset Square – and the local businesses – will keep an eye on the herbs, water them and use them.”

Keen gardener Bob Rawle, a member of Transition Town, started the planting on Tuesday and is hoping the herbs – and the project – will flourish.

Councillor Catherine Herbert said: “This idea is great. To get herbs growing in the town will make a real difference to us all. It will not only be about the appearance, but fabulous aromas. I can’t wait to see how people react to this.”

Taunton High Street Phase 1 Nearing Completion

Phase one of a major scheme to give Taunton High Street a 21^st century makeover is drawing to a close – and phase two is waiting in the wings.

The project, led by local architects Reed Holland and backed by Taunton Deane Borough Council and Project Taunton, aims to breathe new life into the tired remnants of the 1970s High Street and revive its place at the heart of the town’s retail quarter.

Initial clearance has been completed and the first half of the drainage works finished – and now the project is taking a short breather to allow High Street to be fully accessible for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay celebrations in May and the Diamond Jubilee events in June.

Taunton Town Centre Landscaping Continues

Visitors to Taunton town centre can now enjoy full access to Goodland Gardens with its new direct link from Bridge Street and new footbridge over the Mill Stream.

RG Spiller Ltd who have landscaped the area to a very high standard are now moving their team to the High Street where Phase 2 of that project is due to begin in early February. Taunton Deane’s DLO team carried out some initial clearance work before Christmas in preparation for this next stage which will provide new power outlets for outdoor activities, lighting, trees, planters and drainage channels. Phase 2 works, designed by Reed Holland Associates, is to be funded by the Homes & Communities Agency.

High Street Public Event to Contribute to Plans

The work to remove problem trees, planters and seating in Taunton High Street is nearing an end in plenty of time for the start of the Christmas shopping period.  This work will culminate in a free two-day event during which you are invited to contribute your memories, to record your feelings about the present High Street and your aspirations for its future.  This is your chance to get involved and help shape the future of the High Street.

The event, sponsored by High Street retailer Arditti Carpets and part of the national Big Draw campaign, has been organised by The Brewhouse, Somerset Art Works and Somerset Film, on behalf of Project Taunton.  Activities will take place along the length of the High Street on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October between 11.00am and 2.30pm and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for fair weather.

Work Starts at Goodland Gardens

Following planning consent for significant improvements to Goodland Gardens, the Project Taunton delivery team are pleased to announce that the contract for the works has been awarded to Somerset building contractors R G Spiller Ltd.

Work started on Monday 10 October to upgrade the open space adjacent to Debenhams, reconfigure the riverside walkway, replace the dilapidated bridge over the Mill Stream and tidy the adjoining landscaped space which stretches behind the newly opened Museum of Somerset.  The plans include new skateboard friendly hard landscaping, enhanced lighting and seating.