The future of a major housing development in Frome hangs in the balance after councillors said they were “minded to refuse” proposals for 1,700 new homes.

Outline plans were submitted in August 2021 for the Selwood Garden Community (SGC), which would see green fields between the A361 and the southern edge of Frome transformed into a substantial new community, including new commercial space, a primary school and a riverside park.

But after more than four hours of often heated debate, the committee narrowly voted that it was “minded to refuse” granting permission – with a new vote on the precise reasons for refusal expected in two months’ time.

Of the 1,700 homes proposed for the site, 30 per cent would be affordable – the equivalent of 510 homes, which will be a mixture of social rented, shared ownership and other low-cost options.

Large numbers of Frome residents spoke strongly against the plans when a Somerset Council planning committee met in Shepton Mallet on Tuesday afternoon (December 3).

Mike Bull from the Friends of the River Frome said: “There is a very well-documented problem with combined sewage outflows releasing sewage into the river. This development must not make this bad situation worse.

“Foul water infrastructure improvements must be considered upfront and not through conditions. The conditions do not encourage a holistic approach – this is a recipe for disaster.

Joe Hannam Maggs from the Stop SGC campaign group called for a public inquiry into the plans, arguing Frome had already delivered large amounts of new housing in recent years.

Richard Swann from the Frome & District Civic Society said approving the plans would lead to disjointed development across the town’s southern edge, referencing the housing developments currently being delivered in the Keyford area.

He said: “This will not deliver genuinely affordable homes at the urgent rate which is needed. Given Frome’s chronic employment deficit, the worst in the district, people will commute elsewhere."

"Missed opportunity?"

Steve Tanner, who sits on Frome T.own Council, said the development was “a missed opportunity” and the consortium was not providing enough money to bring about genuine improvements to the town."

Numerous Somerset Council division members for Frome and the neighbouring villages, however, also spoke strongly against the plans.

Councillor Michael Dunk (Frome West) said: “This application involves 240 acres of productive farmland. There is no mitigation that I know of for the loss of this – this is the start of the countryside around Frome.

“I have no confidence in the developers’ reasoning. Any mitigation cannot offset the destruction of productive land and the loss of public amenity.”

Following several hours of debate, the committee voted by seven votes to five to state it was “minded to refuse” the plans, with the reasons including the climate impact, the “disproportionate” level of growth, and the impact on the town’s character