Police launch regeneration project probe

POLICE have begun a formal investigation into a troubled regeneration project in Glastonbury.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local Democracy Reporter

The Red Brick Building, located on Morland Road in Glastonbury, has been the subject of significant building work as part of the £23.6m Glastonbury town deal, with the derelict 'Building C' being transformed into community events space, offices, and other facilities.

Somerset Council officially 'paused' funding for the project in January 2024 amid serious concerns being raised about its management, with the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) delivering a scathing verdict on how the project had been managed in May 2025.

The council has now confirmed that Avon and Somerset Constabulary's fraud team has begun an official investigation into the project - and that any further work on the building may not be signed off until after Christmas.

Taunton resident Brenda Orr raised the issue when the council's audit committee met in Taunton this week.

She said: "I note that SWAP was due to report on this in June but that has now been pushed back to December.