249 houses approved in Little Keyford, by local democracy reporter Daniel Mumby

A NEW housing development, dubbed a “development without a heart,” will be built at the southern edge of Frome after plans were unanimously approved by Mendip District councillors recently. 

Barratt David Wilson Homes put forward plans in early-2020 to build 249 homes across two sites either side of the B3092 The Mount, in the Little Keyford area of the town. 

Mendip District Council originally deferred a decision on both plans (and a third related site) in July 2021, with its planning board reconvening in Shepton Mallet on Wednesday 16th February to look at the amended proposals. 

After more than two hours’ debate, the board voted unanimously to approve both applications, despite concerns remaining about the local road network and pedestrian access. 

The two sites, together with land to the east of Little Keyford Lane, form part of a wider housing allocation within the council’s Local Plan Part II, which was formally ratified by councillors before Christmas. 

The three sites were originally intended to deliver 325 new homes, but this was revised down to 318 properties following negotiations between the council and the developers. 

The planning board voted in October 2021 to refuse Wainhomes’ plans for 70 homes on the Little Keyford Lane site, arguing the access plans and resulting loss of hedgerows would cause “significant, irreversible, harmful effects” to the area. 

Following this decision (and the ensuing thread of an appeal), Wainhomes and Barratt David Wilson Homes have produced a new joint master-plan for the three sites, with all three areas now having vehicular access onto the B3092. 

Under the proposals, the latter developer will build 131 homes on the western side of the road and 118 on the eastern side – with all properties having solar panels on their roofs. 

Rather than linking these sites directly via a roundabout, the two access roads from the sites will be staggered, with traffic calming measures being put in place to “create an entrance gateway for Frome” and encourage motorists to slow down. 

In addition, financial contributions will be secured to improve both the Gorehedge junction in the town centre – where the B3092 meets the busy A362 – and the Beckington and White Row roundabouts on the A36, which serves as the main road between Frome and Bath. 

Councillor Matt Martin questioned whether these contributions –  £641,325 for Gorehedge and £410,352 for the A36 – would be sufficient, given recent inflationary pressures on the construction industry. He said, “We know prices are going through the roof with everything. By the time these schemes come around, this funding could be degraded further by inflation.” 

Councillor Shane Collins, whose Frome Keyford ward includes the site, said he remained unhappy with both the design of the homes and how they would be integrated into the town. 

He said: “The developer’s track record in Frome is not good, exemplified by Dragonfly Close. The building design bears little relationship to the town, and the poor build quality has resulted in several residents experiencing problems. 

“Little Keyford Lane and the lane with no name are not safe active travel routes. There have been multiple occasions when speeding vehicles have endangered walkers and others. 

“More will be persuaded to walk instead of drive if it is safe for them and their children to do so. 

“It would be nice to see a central place where people could meet outdoors – the provision of small allotments, community orchards and benches.” 

Councillor Helen Kay – who represents the same ward –  welcomed the developer’s amendments, but raised concerns about how residents would access services to the north. 

She said, “The developers have made a lot of concessions. In the absence of a roundabout, the staggered junction will force the traffic to slow down with humps. That’s all very positive.

“I still have a lot of reservations. There’s a lot of east-west links for footpaths and cycles, but people will want to go to the Co-op store [on the B3092 Culver Hill]. We could have a crossing near there. The money for the Gorehedge junctions and the improvements to the A36 is not really going to help with all the other knock-on traffic effects that we’re going to have in Frome.” 

Councillor Francis Hayden bemoaned the lack of a community hub within the site, but said the plans were an improvement on the original proposals. 

He said, “I’m concerned that this is a development without a heart. There is no public building here, there’s very little public space – there’s nowhere for people to congregate, to mingle, to form communities and make friends. 

“This is a significantly better development than what we saw in the summer. It is much better – it’s not perfect, and there’s a lot of things we could wish for, but it is much better.” 

Councillor Nigel Hewitt-Cooper concurred saying, “I think the concessions given by the developers have been pretty incredible, really. I want to thank the developers for being so conducive and listening to us. We need to be careful not to overdo it. 

“I think this is probably as good as we’re going to get with this. It’s a development that’s ticked a lot of boxes.” 

Cllr Kay put forward an amendment, demanding additional contributions towards a pedestrian crossing at the northern end of both sites, which was approved by ten votes to two. 

The board subsequently voted unanimously to approve both applications. Amended proposals for the Wainhomes site are anticipated to come forward before the end of the year.