PLANS for a change of use from residential to a spa and holiday let, at 90 Weymouth Road, Frome, are awaiting a decision by Mendip District Council. A revised plan has been submitted, with adjustments made to the plan’s parking layout.
The plans received approval from Frome Town Council at the end of last year. The council’s planning and development officer, Catherine Warburton said, “No objection subject to Somerset County Council being satisfied that there is adequate parking for both guests and visitors to the spa so that additional pressure is not placed on on-street parking.”
A local resident described why they supported the application, saying, “I am supportive of the application as no. 90 has been in a deplorable state for a number of years, very poorly maintained. Lotties [Bistro] like myself own spaces in the car park and where their B&B guests park and given the resources available this seems very appropriate use of the property to expand a business that is experiencing success in the area. This includes opportunities for further employment. The planning application gives a positive opportunity for the development of Badcox. And the development of small businesses including Lottie’s Bistro.”
Frome Civic Society welcomed the opportunity for additional employment in the town. However, the group highlighted concerns about the loss of residential homes in the town, and also raised concern about the parking situation along Weymouth Road, where Somerset County Council have introduced a parking permit scheme, due to complaints from residents about the volume of cars parking there.
The society said, “The Civic Society welcomes the principle of additional employment space close to the town centre and supports the development of enterprises in the Badcox area, which has seen something of a resurgence, compared for example, with nearby Christchurch Street West where there are vacant commercial premises.
“However, we do not see that the proposed employment uses of a small spa with one treatment room on ground and lower ground storeys, plus four holiday letting rooms above, could generate the suggested 10 FTE opportunities. Against the gains to the local economy there would be a significant loss of seven accommodation units, six of them small independent bedsits of the type desperately needed in Frome.
“The difficult parking situation in this street is well known and the applicant must at least establish that the site will offer sufficient parking for spa clients (2/3) as well as staff (2/3) and overnight guests (four). It should be noted that the Badcox car park has time limitations.”
Ward town councillor, Damon Hooton, initially objected to these plans in December, due to housing shortages and parking issues along Weymouth Road. However, in January this year cllr Hooton reversed his objection saying, “I have recently met on site with applicant and agent and following the very informative and productive meeting withdraw my objections to this application.”
