LOCALS shared their opinions about the proposed Selwood Garden Community (SGC) – which would bring 1,700 houses to the south of the town – at a recent meeting.
A increase of traffic in the area; an increase in pollution, including noise and light; the development’s impact on the nature reserve at Rodden; and the number of houses proposed outweighing the local need, were some of the concerns raised.
Selwood Parish Council’s clerk, Carolyn Wiggins reports, “An open meeting was held on Thursday 19th August at East Woodlands Village Hall to give locals an opportunity to hear directly from Mark Brierley from Land Value Alliance (LVA) about their recently submitted planning application. Those present included members of Selwood, Trudoxhill and Berkley parish councils, Frome Town Council and residents of Selwood.
“Mark Brierley gave an overview of the proposed LVA planning application that aims to be a planned programme of development to deliver affordable housing and infrastructure improvement.
“Following the presentation, there was a Q&A session which enabled people to ask some questions, some of which went unanswered or led to further questions.
“Increased traffic from the development on the already heavily-used Frome bypass was a major concern, as were the proposed traffic improvements, resulting in increased lengthy journeys for existing residents of Frome – for example, Keyford crossroads being made one-way out of town, meaning residents of Culverhill will have to drive through Marston Trading Estate or go round the bypass to get into Frome.
“There were questions raised about increased pollution, including noise and light, as well as from traffic, particularly with the proposed construction of a roundabout at the bottom of the ski slope. Questions were raised as to how people would get safely across the bypass for recreation and safe crossings with islands were proposed.
“The developers are suggesting the use of e-scooters and/or electric bikes will be encouraged by the provision of designated cycle and pathways. Many people at the meeting felt that this was not practical or realistic, given the terrain and the distance of the town and facilities across town such as the medical centre.
“There was a question about what measures were planned to protect the nature reserve at Rodden from the impact of increased run-off/pollution from the development upstream. Mark Brierley admitted that none had been planned and that LVA would need to address this oversight.
“The plans include industrial units on the Tytherington side of the bypass, which was supposed to be the boundary for future developments. This was commented on by several people and deemed to be a dangerous precedent for future development creep. LVA claims that these units, together with the industrial units at the south of the proposed development, will deliver 1,256 jobs, a number that was questioned.
“Sewage disposal was also a concern, but according to the developers is the responsibility of the water authority. Pumping the sewage across town to the already overstretched sewage works was a concern to many.
“There were concerns that the number of houses proposed outweighed the need, with already so many houses currently in the pipeline, particularly on the same side of Frome, and questions about the affordability for locals. Another resident questioned the building on greenfield sites when there were brownfield sites still to develop in the area.
“There is a separate planning application for a solar farm on land between the two railways lines and a question was raised about what a refusal of that application would mean to the SGC proposal, but this was unanswered.
“LVA states that almost a third of the site will be open spaces for all to enjoy, but this also led to questions over who would be responsible for maintaining these green spaces when no longer the farmers’ responsibility. These would be funded by a 106 agreement and then moving forward, managed by a Community Land trust paid for by local taxes.
“The planned development is in the parish of Selwood and residents can communicate their views and concerns by emailing clerk.selwoodpc@gmail.com or contacting any of the parish councillors – contact details are on the Selwood Parish Council website.
“Alternatively, comments can be left on the Mendip District Council website planning page. The reference number for this application is 2021/1675 /EOUT.”
The deadline for comments is Sunday 12th September.
