People for Packsaddle (PfP), the action group campaigning to protect Packsaddle Fields from development, have raised concerns over a reduction in the funds the developer is required to provide for local education, should the planning application be approved.
The group claims there have been “significant changes” to the amount of Section 106 contributions for community use. They argue that Frome will lose out if planning permission for the development is granted. PfP’s solicitor has written to Somerset Council, which is set to make a decision on the application on 5th November.
PfP has been campaigning to protect Packsaddle Community Fields for current and future generations after Somerset Council made the decision to sell the land in 2022. An application to build 74 homes and a home for children with disabilities was submitted to Somerset Council by the developer, LiveWest, in May last year.
The community group says that in June 2023, the Local Planning Authority completed a Section 106 agreement for the development saying the agreement required an education contribution of £792,793. It was understood that education contributions would be required for a new school to be built in Frome including early years provision and middle school contribution would be necessary to allow the expansion of Selwood School. The officer’s report confirmed that this amount would be necessary.
A number of viability reports have since been carried out, with one published on the planning portal and dated 10th September 2024 having a figure of £882,441 as the S106 education contribution. A spokesperson for PfP said, “However, on 13th September 2024, this figure has been slashed to £156,791, which is a massive reduction of £725,650.”
The group believes these cuts were made to offset the fact that the development is not financially viable. They say this reduction has also allowed the developer to increase its provision of affordable homes from what the group calls a “woeful” 12% to 22%.
It was reported there is now adequate school provision in Frome and the need to expand schools would not be necessary until the building of the proposed Selwood Garden Village development.
Toby Culff, of PfP says, “There appears to be a huge conflict of interest here. Somerset Council is the landowner, is bound by a hastily and quietly agreed option agreement that was driven by the need for capital receipts and is the negotiator and the decision maker. The proposed development is not financially viable. The increase in affordable homes has been made at the expense of the developer’s education provision. Either way, Frome loses, and Somerset Council gains a paltry capital receipt. The only winner here is the developer.
The future of Packsaddle Fields will be decided by Somerset Council’s planning meeting on Tuesday 5th November in Shepton Mallet. Members of PfP had requested that the meeting be held in Frome so that older residents could attend, but the authority has confirmed that the meeting will still take place in Shepton Mallet.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council said, “We are aware of the interest in this application and can confirm that all concerns raised by the local community will be considered as part of the planning assessment. This will be included in the committee report and published ahead of the meeting on 5th November so members can consider all views submitted before making any decisions.
“The meeting will be considering other planning applications and will be held in the committee chamber as usual, with the option for people to attend in person or they can watch or participate in the meeting virtually.”
