Community groups ‘over the moon’ as social housing plans are withdrawn
Community groups across Frome are celebrating the news that plans to build houses on a number of much-loved green spaces have been withdrawn.
The Fair Homes Project – a partnership between Frome Area Community Land Trust (FACLT), Selwood Housing Group, and Mendip District Council – had proposed to build up to 30 “new high-quality, fair rent, family homes” on eight green space sites, for those in “desperate” housing need.
A recent public consultation sparked a number of community meetings across the town – with residents upset about the thought of losing green spaces that are used by residents young and old for recreation purposes. Concerns were also raised about the impact on wildlife living in the area, and the plan’s potential to exacerbate already “nightmare” parking issues.
Five days after the consultation closed on 11th June, the project team announced that they were withdrawing the plans “in their entirety” after listening to the feedback of residents.
The eight green space sites that were earmarked for development were: Farley Close; Hodders Close; Randolph Road; Feltham Drive & Austin Close; Cranmore View & The Grove; Selwood Crescent; Grove Mead; and Mountfield.
About the news, Farley Close resident, Tracey Matthews, told Frome Times, “All the residents of Farley Close are over the moon with the news (some even shed a tear when they heard), the children were elated, their green space is safe!
“We are all feeling so grateful/thankful and overwhelmed with not only how we pulled together, but for all the support we received from the local community. We thank everyone who helped and supported us.”
On behalf of residents that campaigned to save the Cranmore View & The Grove green space, Lisa Rendall said, “We are very pleased! This is great news for the wildlife – especially the hedgehogs – that use the space, and the children that play there.
“I’m personally pleased that they listened to us – the community would have lost a valuable green space that lots of people enjoy.”
Selwood Crescent residents have also welcomed the news and have thanked the project team for listening to them and respecting their views.
They said, “We consider that retaining and protecting the precious, biodiverse, health-giving, small green spaces within the town is the right decision, both for now and in the long term.
“Individual and personal reasons expressing the importance of Selwood Crescent Green have often been moving, even upsetting, to listen to, but the coming together of several of the green space communities to speak with one voice has been inspiring and we value the lesson learned for our children and young people who joined the campaign, that if you stand up and take part you CAN be heard.”
The Friends of The Mount, Marston and Keyford, who campaigned to save the green spaces at Mountfield and Feltham Drive & Austin Close, have said that they are “happy” about the decision. And trustee of the group, Scott Ward, has also praised all the community groups across Frome that took part in the campaign.
He said, “I want to recognise and thank the residents of Frome that made their opinions known and campaigned to save their beloved green spaces. Individuals getting involved with the town they love is the only way to continue making Frome a fantastic place to live.”
Whilst the plans have been withdrawn, the Fair Homes Project team say that they will continue to “seek to improve the supply of much-needed social housing” in Frome.
A move that has been supported by many that campaigned against the recent plans, who have explained that they recognise the need for social housing in Frome.
According to the Fair Homes Project team, there are still “more than 500 households” looking to find affordable housing in the town, with demand “likely to increase”.
Trustee of The Friends of The Mount, Marston and Keyford, Scott Ward said, “While we had concerns about some of the sites on the Mount, we also offered up some alternative solutions that we felt might provide better opportunities for the Fair Homes Project which we hope they are investigating.
“Our green spaces are so important to families without gardens and those social housing residents already on the Mount, but we also recognise the need for social housing in Frome. Sadly, the cause of this need goes much further than district and county councils and until central Government do better, this is going to be a constant concern and the whole issue will need to be tackled in the near future.”
Selwood Crescent residents said, “We are mindful that this [decision] does not resolve the pressing issue of a lack of social housing, a legacy of the poorly thought-out policies of previous governments.
“Nationally and locally, a supply of social housing is needed and some of us will be putting in writing the suggestions we made verbally regarding where and how we think homes, both social and private, can be built to enhance, not fracture, our communities.”
The Fair Homes Project team said, “In the coming weeks and months we will be calling on those who said they support this aim – including councillors, community groups, and members of the public – to join us in this effort.”
