Thatcham 'eyesore' being demolished

Taceham House to be replaced after standing empty for six years

THE long-awaited demolition of a Thatcham ‘eyesore’ has begun.

Taceham House, in The Haywards, has been standing empty since it was last used as temporary accommodation for local residents in 2009. West Berkshire Council sold the derelict building to Sovereign housing association for £1 earlier this year.

Sovereign is now knocking down the building and replacing it with 10 homes – a mixture of houses and flats – for affordable rent.

Demolition work began last Wednesday at which both the council member for housing, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley) and Sovereign executive director of housing and communities, Heather Bowman were present.

Mrs Cole said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Sovereign and that Taceham House is finally being demolished, to be replaced with 10 much- needed affordable homes for local people.”

Mrs Bowman said: “By working together we’re able to build the homes the area really needs, such as one-bedroom houses and flats for people just starting out, or those who want to downsize.

“It’s great to see demolition under way, and we’ll press ahead transforming this derelict building into much-needed affordable homes.

“All the new homes will be completed next autumn.”

The council said that the new accommodation would be be allocated to residents on the common housing register.

As part of the deal, Sovereign will also provide two nearby properties for West Berkshire Council to use as temporary accommodation.