RESIDENTS opposed to plans that would see a digital billboard installed next to a busy junction at land south of Station Approach in Frome, have been given a boost in their fight. They say the developer is considering scaling back their plans from a digital billboard, to a more traditional billboard.
The plans will need to be looked at and voted on by Mendip District Council before the change can be made. The applicant has also agreed that if the new plans are accepted the paper paste billboard will be top lit with the lights switched off between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Residents will be able to comment on these plans once submitted.
Residents from the campaign group on Facebook, Say No to Digital Billboard on Portway, have also called for the planning process to be investigated following complaints that they weren’t properly notified of the application and that a site notice was not put in place.
The applicants, Wildstone Estates Ltd, were granted approval for a digital advertising board by Mendip District Council on Thursday 26th January despite objections from 26 local residents, local councillors and Frome Town Council. Over 70 residents opposed to the plans held a protest at the site last month.
Those opposed to the application say that the advertising board will cause traffic safety concerns due to the fast-changing nature of its design, as well as causing additional light pollution to those that live nearby.
Speaking to the Frome Times, Portway resident and organiser of the Facebook group, Jerry Cripps said, “We received communication from Wildstone that explained they are discussing potentially amending the plans from a digital billboard to a more traditional paper paste board. While we would prefer there to be no billboard at all in that area, this news would be welcomed.
“Ideally, we don’t want to see any kind of billboard go up in that area due to the road safety concerns, but if our hands are tied, we would prefer one that isn’t lit up at late hours. Something the applicant may need to consider is how they are going to light the paper billboard, as we could encounter issues here as well.”
Appeal to Mendip to investigate the planning process
Jerry says that the fact Wildstone may be amending their plans suggests that the planning process was not followed properly. He has written an open letter to Mendip District Council (MDC) to request that they formally investigate the planning process for this application. MDC has not responded to the letter at the time of going to print.
Jerry added, “Part of the planning process, as stated by Mendip on their website, is to notify neighbours and/or put a planning notice at the site. Neither of those were done and, on the planning documents, Wildstone do not list any neighbours that have been notified, which is a clear lack of due process.
“If planning applications receive many objections, which that has, it usually warrants the application being taken to the planning board, but Mendip decided not to on this occasion, which is odd given just how many people objected online.
“The fact that the applicant is considering revising their plans highlights a problem within the planning system. MDC needs to respond to our letter as it would be another dereliction of duty otherwise.
Wildstone were approached for comment, but did not reply at the time of print.
To stay up to date with the group’s efforts or to view Jerry’s open letter in full, follow the group on Facebook: Say NO to Digital Billboard on Portway.
