CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed the news that a decision on the Selwood Garden Community planning application has been delayed by at least six months.
About the plans, which would bring 1,700 houses to the south of the town, National Highways has raised concerns about the impact the scale of the development could have on the ‘safe and efficient’ operation of the A36 trunk road.
Because of this, they have put a hold on the application, requesting a delay of six months while further consultations take place.
“We are pleased to hear some of our own concerns about the likely detrimental impact of this development reflected by National Highways,” said a spokesperson for campaign group Stop SGC. “The concerns raised do not surprise us as we have consistently highlighted how a development of this size and scale will have far-reaching negative effects, not just on traffic, but also local ecology and the town’s infrastructure.
“Any extra time that allows necessary scrutiny of this project – which we believe to be ill-advised – is certainly a step in the right direction.”
Stop SGC is a group of local residents that oppose the plans for the 1,700 houses. They have previously criticised the plans for its potential to ‘rip up the countryside’, replacing it with ‘tarmac and roads’ – also warning that it will bring more residents to the area that Frome’s infrastructure ‘cannot handle’.
In their response to the application, dated 7th March, National Highways said, “Given the scale of proposed development and associated traffic flow demands, along with existing traffic pressures, the proposal has the potential to impact on the safe and efficient operation of the A36 trunk road which forms part of the strategic road network (SRN).”
About the request for a delay of six months on any planning decision, National Highways explained, “This is to allow the applicant to provide further information which is necessary to determine the impact on the continued safe operation of the strategic road network and the long-term integrity of its assets, and thereby provide the Local Planning Authority with fully informed advice.”
