150 Frome homes plan comes under fire, by local democracy reporter Daniel Mumby

DEVELOPERS are ‘shunning health for concrete and greed’ by pushing for new homes on the western edge of Frome, according to local residents. 

Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd. put forward initial proposals (known as a screening option) in December 2021 to build up to 180 homes on the western side of Marston Lane, located off the busy B3090 Marston Road. The Fleet-based developer has now formally submitted an application to Mendip District Council, slightly reducing the total number of homes to 150 and including a community hub at the southern edge. 

But both local councillors and neighbouring residents have already lambasted the proposals, criticising the impact of extra traffic and the loss of cherished green spaces. 

The Marston Lane site is not included in either the council’s original Local Plan (which was adopted in 2014) or the additional allocations within the Local Plan Part II. 

The site does lie within the parish of Frome, a short distance from the town’s Sainsbury’s supermarket, but it lies outside the defined development boundary of the town as set by the council’s Local Plan. 

Four new access roads onto Marston Lane will be created under the new proposals, including one directly opposite the existing junction with Mason’s Way and one near the existing junction with the B3090. 

Of the 150 homes being proposed, 45 will be affordable – meeting the council’s target for 30 per cent affordable housing in any new development of ten homes or more. Despite this, many local residents have already objected to the plans, arguing that Frome’s road network and existing services cannot hope with further homes in this area. 

Caroline Hadfield said, “The proposed access onto Marston Lane would create a very dangerous junction. 

“Marston Lane would struggle to cope with the extra traffic caused by between 150 and 300 extra cars, based on each property having one or two cars, which is normal these days. 

“The local infrastructure of schools, doctors, dentists etc. are already struggling with the amount of people in Frome, and the extra numbers brought in by this development would push this even further.” 

Paul Collins added, “Access to this land is only possible from Marston Lane itself, which is already a commuting ‘rat run’. 

“The introduction of more cars daily onto this lane would be dangerous,  especially to the many school children walking daily to Trinity and Oakfield schools along this lane, which only has a footpath on one side and is very narrow in places. 

“This land is also very poorly drained and if built upon, would be likely to flood on a regular basis.” 

Mark Leary said the continuing loss of green spaces in and around Frome would end up causing long-term damage to the health and well-being of the town’s residents. He said, “In the current times we find ourselves in (Covid and the Ukrainian atrocity), people’s mental well-being is fragile. 

“Removing greenfield sites – which allow everyone of any income or social standing to be able to reset their mental state – seems a ludicrous decision. There has to be a balance between occupancy and nature, and it appears Frome is desperate to get that balance very wrong and shun health for concrete and greed.” 

The southern edge of Frome is allocated for large amounts of development in the coming years, with planning permission already being in place for several sites identified in the Local Plan Part II. 

The council’s planning board voted in February to approve two major developments in this area – comprising 249 homes either side of the B3092 The Mount and 198 homes either side of Sandy’s Hill Lane, near the town’s McDonald’s restaurant. 

A further site within the Keyford area, between The Mount and Little Keyford Lane, could soon deliver a further 70 homes if revised plans are approved in the coming months. 

The Selwood Garden Community has also put forward proposals for more than 1,700 homes between the town’s southern edge and the A361 – though a decision on these has been pushed back following objections from National Highways (formerly Highways England). 

Cllr Damon Hooton – whose Frome Park ward includes the Marston Lane site – has demanded that the plans come before the council’s planning board for a final decision. He has not specified the reasons for his objection, and has stated he will not take part in any debate over the plans at such a meeting – since his role as chairman could be seen as a conflict of interest. 

He said, “I am against this proposed development on several policy grounds. I want this application to be determined by the planning board. 

“I am aware that, in my position as current chairman of the planning board, I will be predetermined, but I feel strongly enough that I accept that position and will not sit as chairman when it comes before the board.” 

Gleeson has had a mixed record of securing developments in Somerset, losing appeals over 68 homes on the edge of Wells and 60 homes on the Manor Farm site in Templecombe. 

A further appeal ruling, into 75 homes near Midsomer Norton, is expected shortly following the conclusion of a public inquiry in late February. The council is expected to make a decision on the plans by the summer – though it is not clear exactly when the planning board will consider the application.