A CONTROVERSIAL business premises owned by Somerset Council has been sold.

The authority faced criticism over a property at Aztec West, Bristol, after it emerged it was leased by Israeli-linked arms firm, Elbit Systems UK.

The company has denied any direct links with Israel, saying it provides equipment to the British army.

However, Somerset Council has faced continued criticism over the arrangement, including demonstrators vandalising County Hall over the issue.

Now, the council has sold the building, though financial details of the deal remain confidential.

It said the building was one of many commercial assets it is disposing of as part of its property rationalisation programme, which aims to raise much-needed funds to plug a financial black hole.

The property – 600-650 Aztec West – was originally bought by Sedgemoor District Council, at a time when the government encouraged them to operate commercially as a measure to counter funding pressures.

Somerset Council had agreed to explore other legal options available to it as the landlord, and it was concluded selling the property was the only viable way forward.

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Cllr Ros Wyke, lead member for economic development, planning and assets, said: “We are committed to the sale of our commercial investment properties to achieve capital receipts which will help to bridge the budget gap for 2024/25 and 25/26.

“This approach is in response to the well documented financial emergency facing Somerset Council and the capitalisation direction approved by the former government which encourages us to sell surplus property and assets, and use the receipts to fund essential services, like adults and children’s social care.

“We will continue to call on the new Government to take urgent action to fix the system of funding local government which is fundamentally broken.”

Other assets recently sold as part of the property rationalisation programme include Steelite in Stoke-on-Trent, and 27-29 Sherwood Road in Bromsgrove.

The council has also passed a resolution to consider the future of assets such as the Market House, in Taunton, and the Cornhill in Bridgwater.