Hiranandani visits Taunton as Firepool sale process approaches
Hiranandani explores development potential at Firepool
Representatives of House of Hiranandani visited Taunton on October 5, 2026, to discuss the potential of the Firepool site with Somerset Council. The delegation presented ideas for a sustainable, mixed-use development on the former livestock market land, which is described in coverage of the council’s sale process as a 12-acre site.
It was the company’s second visit to Taunton. The meeting was facilitated by Gideon Amos, MP for the town. The visit formed part of early engagement around Firepool: the council’s site is being offered through an open-market process, and the meeting itself did not constitute a bid, a selection or an agreement to purchase the land.
The details
Firepool is a brownfield site in central Taunton. The livestock market closed in 2008, and the site has remained largely empty since. House of Hiranandani’s presentation focused on the broad idea of a sustainable mix of uses, rather than a detailed scheme.
Somerset Council’s proposed process may allow it to sell land to a development partner while retaining some control over future outcomes. The council has said prospective parties will enter the process on equal terms, with proposals subject to due diligence and independent assessment against its requirements.
Councillor Habib Farbahi, who represents Comeytrowe and Trull, described interest from national and international companies as encouraging. He said the presentation illustrated how a sustainable mix of uses might connect Firepool with Taunton’s wider community and economy. He also noted that introductions could bring investors to the town, while emphasising that the council would make its decision independently through a fair process, with equal assessment and due diligence for prospective partners.
Somerset Council has attributed interest in Firepool to its strategic position and the substantial infrastructure investment already made in the area. Amos has previously welcomed organisations including Aviva, Phoenix Group, Vistry, Chestnut, Acorn and Federated Hermes to Taunton.
- Firepool is the former livestock market site in Taunton, with the sale-process coverage describing the land as 12 acres.
- The council’s open-market process is due to begin in early January 2027.
- Proposals are to be independently assessed and undergo due diligence.
- The council expects to select a development partner in late summer 2027.
The location
Firepool sits between Taunton’s main shopping area and railway station. Parts of the wider site have already been developed, including the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation and Firepool Boulevard, a £5 million walkway linking the station with the town centre.
Somerset Council says public investment has supported land assembly and remediation, alongside transport infrastructure, public-realm improvements and active-travel connections. Firepool is part of the wider Taunton Garden Town vision and is regarded by the council as a significant town-centre regeneration site. A masterplan first unveiled in 2019 and updated in 2022 considered homes and apartments, commercial premises, restaurants and an entertainment amphitheatre; housing, student and later-living accommodation, and other market-led uses have also been identified as potential opportunities.
The developer
House of Hiranandani is an Indian real-estate developer. Hiranandani Group, established in 1978 and based in Mumbai, operates across real estate as well as education, healthcare, hospitality, leisure and entertainment. Its developments include Hiranandani Gardens in Powai and Hiranandani Estate and One Hiranandani Park in Thane.
What comes next
Somerset Council plans to open the Firepool sale process in early January 2027. Interested parties are to participate on equal terms, and proposals will be considered through independent assessment and due diligence. The council expects to select a development partner in late summer 2027. The October visit is an exploratory step ahead of that process.