Campaign to save green space steps up a gear

Campaigners fighting to save the former Broadway allotment site from housing are cranking up the pressure on Mendip District Council to rethink its plans.

The district council is considering the site – described as “Frome’s last undeveloped green space” and home to an “incredible plethora” of wildlife – for social housing. 

Instead, the Broadway Allotments and Community Garden Association wants the district council to transfer ownership of the site to a willing Frome Town Council, to allow for the green space to become a community allotment and orchard.

The group, which launched the campaign over a year ago, is encouraging the community to support the campaign by signing its online petition – which has almost 2,000 supporters – and by writing to Mendip District Council explaining what the site means to them. 

Although no date has been set for a decision, with the council undertaking surveys on the site, campaigners have told Frome Times that the next few weeks could be “critical” to their fight.

Chair of the association, John Clarke said, “Mendip are continuing to look at developing the site for social housing and have undertaken various surveys including an ecological survey. 

“They have given us no indication when a decision will be made, despite us asking on more than one occasion. 

“I hope through our continued campaign Mendip will transfer the land to Frome Town Council who have agreed, if offered, to accept ownership. I want to see us continuing our campaign with increased enthusiasm and support from the community. We need more people to help us in our campaign; writing to the press and Mendip councillors, helping with publicity, speaking at council meetings.  

“We need to engage more with the community and communicate about what we are trying to achieve. Not only protecting the wildlife on the site, but creating an asset for all the community. 

Something special for the community

“With community support and individuals all doing what they can, I strongly believe we will really create something special for all the community.”

Due to the community’s hard work, the site – which had previously lain dormant for 20 years since the allotments closed – is now a thriving, lively space, well used by local families, children, elderly people, wildlife and food growers. It is also home to important biodiversity including Frome’s only urban badger population, slow worms and rare bats. 

School support

Local schools also weighed in with their support, with every headteacher from surrounding schools lending their voice to the campaign. Headteacher of Critchill School, which caters for young people with complex and severe learning needs, Sophie Addison, said: “As a school we would welcome and support a new community garden at Broadway, Frome. We are sure that it would be a learning space that our students would benefit from.” 

Local GP, Dr Laura Devlin, cited several studies which prove the importance of green spaces in reducing isolation and improving mental health, something particularly important post-pandemic. She said: “Being in beautiful natural spaces such as our neighbourhood’s wild area makes us healthier and happier. It connects us to each other and to the world, gives us a greater sense of community and makes us more resilient and able to deal with the stresses and demands of life. We need to preserve these pockets of nature and give our community an opportunity to experience the beauty, and feel the benefits of nature.” 

And Alex Hart, of Shared Earth Learning, agreed saying: “This particular site is incredibly important from a wildlife perspective too, with bats and other wildlife foraging there. To develop this site would be short-sighted in the face of the many difficulties facing nature, not to mention our children whose mental health and well-being is vital for a healthy future for all in Frome.”

If you are able to offer practical help and support to the association and campaign, get involved now by visiting the website or email: Hello@Broadwaycommunitygardens.com 

To support the online petition, visit the website: www.change.org/p/mendip-district-council-save-frome-s-last-undeveloped-green-space-from-development