Frome Town Council has got the green light for improvements to the town centre around the Boyle Cross monument after a Government inspector backed its plans.
The council won its appeal against the refusal of planning permission and listed building consent by Mendip District Council.
The works will include the renovation of the Boyle Cross and new high quality paving and seating. The scheme will also involve the removal of parking except for a loading bay for delivery vehicles. Amongst other things, it will enhance the facilities for markets and other events including the provision of a more level site and power.
The Boyle Cross scheme is only part of a bigger project for the Market Place that is designed to improve its appearance and make it more pedestrian friendly.
The main issues that the Inspector considered were the effect of the scheme on the listed Boyle Cross monument and conservation area and the effect of removing parking from the Market Place on the vitality and viability of the town centre. His main conclusions were:
• The removal of the current parking and new paving would be a major improvement to the setting of the Boyle Cross and the proposed renovation would help to preserve the monument.
• By removing the parking where cars currently have to back into the road would result in an improvement in highway safety.
• There is plenty of parking nearby and so the loss of parking would not result in parking shortages. He also noted that existing disabled parking spaces in the Market Place are unaffected by the scheme. He didn’t consider that the scheme would be detrimental to the vitality and viability of the town centre.
Frome Town Council is in advanced discussions with the Highway Authority to introduce additional measures such as new courtesy crossings and traffic calming that will make it a safer and a more pleasant environment for people walking in the town centre. The intention is to implement all aspects of this project as soon as possible.
Cllr Mel Usher, leader of the council said, “For many years, local people have been pressing for improvements to be made in the Market Place and following considerable consultation, the need for remodelling works had been enshrined in Mendip District Council’s adopted planning policy. So this decision is a major step forward in helping us to deliver the community’s wishes.
“We now look forward to working with Mendip District Council to make this happen – the next step is for them to grant a lease so that we can start construction work and I hope that this can now proceed without any further unnecessary delays.”
Mendip District Council are the landowners and as previously discussed with them, work can start on this long-awaited scheme once they have agreed a lease.