Frome residents oppose 1,700 homes plan near the A361

The southern edge of Frome is currently experiencing significant housing growth, with 198 homes currently being constructed at the Keyford Meadows site off Sandys Hill Lane and four additional sites having secured planning permission within the last 18 months.

On top of these permissions, there remains the prospect of a further 1,700 new homes being delivered as part of the Selwood Garden Community (SGC), which would extend the town as far as the busy A361.

But Frome Town Council has taken a formal stand against this large-scale development, citing a “vast amount of local opposition” from local residents.

Only a small section of the land covered by the SGC is allocated within the Mendip Local Plan Part II, with the land north of Little Keyford Lane expected to provide around 20 homes.

Land Value Alliances, acting on behalf of the SGC landowners consortium, put forward proposals in July 2021 for up to 1,700 new homes – larger than the proposed second phase of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension in Taunton (1,450 homes) or the Staplegrove urban extension in the same town (1,628 homes).

The development will also include a local centre and community hub (which will include shops, restaurants and offices), more than 25,000 sq m of employment space, two residential care homes (providing a combined total of 105 beds), a 420-place primary school, playing fields, allotments, orchards and new pedestrian and cycle routes.

The Stop SGC campaign group stated in September 2022 that amended versions of the proposal amounted to “all sizzle and no steak”, arguing the developers has not taken residents’ concerns into account.

Frome Town Council is a formal consultee on the plans, which are expected to be determined by Somerset Council’s planning committee east (which covers the former Mendip area) before the end of the year.

At a full council meeting held on Wednesday evening (April 17), the full council laid out seven reasons for objecting to the plans – namely:

1. The development is “outside of the development limits” for Frome: the majority of the site lies within the neighbouring parish of Selwood. With most of the new residents having to travel to Frome to access services, the development is “not sustainable and does not meet the test of sustainability from an economic, social and environmental perspective”
2. The site is “too far from major facilities”: despite the new walking and cycling networks being included in the plans, the sheer number of cars still being used from the new homs would “put further strain on the highway network”. There is also “no guarantee” of any improvement in public transport provision
3. The existing Frome infrastructure “cannot support a development of this size”: the town council feels there is not sufficient capacity within the town’s schools, medical centres or sewage network to accommodate these new homes. Councillors have urged Somerset Council to have “further discussions” with NHS Somerset and Wessex Water to see what improvements could be secured if the plans are approved
4. The town council is “not confident” that design codes will be followed: councillors have called for “greater certainty” from the consortium to ensure any homes which are delivered fit in with the current Frome vernacular. Particular concerns were raised about “changing their plans based on viability issues”
5. There is not enough affordable housing: the current plans propose 30 per cent of the new homes will be affordable – the equivalent of 510 properties, delivered over a 15-year period. The town council feels this would not solve the town’s housing crisis, with councillors calling for 40 per cent (680 properties), and that “a high percentage” of the affordable housing must be built first
6. The development would result in the “unacceptable loss of open countryside”: much of the land covered by the SGC is “valuable agricultural land” which could boost the UK’s food supply. While large sections of the site are allocated for “green infrastructure”, the town council does not feel these measures are “sufficient” to offset the loss of farmland
7. The existing sewage network is “unacceptable”: the current sewage network “cannot cope with frequent overflows”, with the new homes having an “even more unacceptable impact” on the existing infrastructure. The town council has called for a new pumping station to be delivered as part of any approved homes in the area

The town council has also put forward a number of demands if the SGC plans are approved – including

• Numerous road improvements, including enhancements to the Marston Gate and Blatchbridge roundabouts on the A361
• Town council ownership of all open spaces and community buildings to ensure they are properly managed
• Section 106 funding to ensure these buildings and spaces can be used for a range of facilities, including community leisure facilities and education
• Drainage and sewage improvements, which must be in place before any new homes or commercial premises are occupied
• Local people should be prioritised for the new homes for an initial period of six months

Somerset Council has not confirmed the precise date for when the SGC plans will come forward for a public discussion.