Anger as plot of land at the Mount is put up for sale

LOCAL residents in the Mount are up in arms after a piece of land has been put up for sale by Mendip District Council, saying there has been no consultation with the local community.

The land in Feltham Drive has been put up for sale by auction with a guide price of £40,000-£50,000, but the local community association and local people say they have never been consulted.

“I am outraged that Mendip District Council officers have decided to put on the market, with no consultation with our community association, a plot of land and probably others on the Mount estate,” said local resident Sue Everett on social media.

“These small green spaces are vital for maintaining light to properties set back off the road and were integral to the design of the estate when it was built in the 1960s.

“The officers concerned did not even consult the ward councillors about all these sales. It is just to make a fast buck and not in the interests of the community.

“Officers are public servants, as are councillors, and they should be serving the community, not seeking short-term financial gain for whatever purposes they see fit.

“In this case they obviously want to sell this piece of land for its so-called development value.”

The land was due to go for sale by auction on Wednesday 27th July ,but has now been postponed until September because of a legal delay.

Local Mendip councillor Helen Kay commented, “Unfortunately it is not me who makes the decision about such matters, but the Mendip Asset Management Group. I spent a good part of yesterday chasing it and I’ve had an email today saying, ‘I can confirm that the auction has been postponed until 14th September due to a delay with the legal searches.’ This will give the community breathing space to decide what to do.

“I have asked the powers that be various questions like: Why wasn’t I formally consulted, why wasn’t the community consulted, why weren’t residents given first option to buy it, what is the legal status of the land (it is owned by Mendip, but usually has a category designating it, like ‘open space’) etc.”

Frome Times asked Mendip District Council why the land had been put up for auction and why local residents and the local community group were not consulted. A spokesperson for the council said, “When the possible sale of the site was discussed at the council’s Asset Management Group, all potential uses for it were considered. It was felt that going through an auction process would give all interested parties the best opportunity to consider bidding for the site, given that the council is under a legal duty to achieve best consideration on all disposals.”