CONCERNS have been raised about plans to build a new pub beside Sainsbury’s, after new proposals were drawn up by a property developer which had its original idea thrown out last year.
The proposal, which is now approaching the final consultation stages, would see a ‘family food-led’ pub built on Marston Road, to be run by Marston’s Brewery. The plan would also deliver around 25,000 square feet of light industrial business unit.
The proposal for a pub is a resubmission of a plan rejected by Mendip District Council last year, but the business units are new to this application.
Selwood Parish Council, Frome Civic Society, and Frome & District Chamber of Commerce have all objected to the plans.
The chamber of commerce argued that the pub would damage similar businesses nearby, and said it was not confident that developers would go ahead with the business units, which it was concerned would be a “Trojan Horse” for the previously refused pub application.
Member and former president of the chamber, Neil Howlett said, “The family pub would be detrimental to Frome town centre and neighbouring villages by diverting trade.
“The applicant on their third application appears to be seeking to offset that with an offer to build industrial units. We would support those, but are sceptical that they would be built.
“Consent should only be granted with a condition that the family pub is not to operate until all the small industrial units have been completed. If not, we will get the pub but not the industrial units.”
The plan, produced by Bristol-based agent GVA, notes that planning officers said the original proposal did not make good use of the rest of the site surrounding the pub.
The developers say the new plan is for a “scheme of very high quality that will deliver sustainable economic growth, flexible employment opportunities and a scale that is sensitive to the adjacent retail park and surrounding countryside.”
23 business units are illustrated on the plan, 11 of which are in ‘phase two’ and would be built “once demand for phase one has been established”.
To view the full plans visit www.mendip.gov.uk and use planning reference 2016/0256/OTS
Public consultation has now closed for the application.