Going right to the top, local leaders have this week been seeking help for Forced Out, the group of Crown Tenants in the Taunton area who have been given notice to quit their properties by the Crown Estate Commission. 

After discussion with devastated tenants in the Neroche and Thurloxton areas, MP for Bridgwater, Ian Liddell-Grainger also representing Rebecca Pow, Prospective MP for Taunton Deane and John Williams, Leader of Taunton Deane Council made representation to Alison Nimmo, Chief Executive of the Crown Estate Commission.

Three specific requests were put to Ms Nimmo to try and ease the situation for the affected tenants: that the Crown Estate reduce the number of properties the propose to sell in each tranche to lessen the immediate impact; that the Crown ensure tenants are given all available advice on the government Help to Buy schemes for those that might be in a position to consider purchasing their properties; and that all possible avenues are pursued to try and interest housing associations in the properties.

Mr Liddell-Grainger was optimistic that as much was being done to alleviate the situation as possible; "the Crown Estate are very conscious of their role as a major land owner and they do accept that we must all work together on this."

"I am pleased that we have been able to go right to the top with some of these requests and our questions, we are still putting on as much pressure as possible with the Crown Estate and if we can lessen the heart ache for people even in a small way then it will be worth it" says Rebecca Pow, who has been supporting the tenants in their campaign for better treatment by the Crown Estate.