NEARLY 450 houses have been approved by Mendip District Council to be built on greenfield sites in the Little Keyford area and at Sandys Hill Lane in Frome.
Permission has been granted for 249 houses to be built across two sites either side of the B3092, The Mount, and 198 houses either side of Sandys Hill Lane, near McDonald’s. The plans were agreed at a meeting of the Mendip District Council’s planning board, held in Shepton Mallet on 16th February.
Both applications had already been controversial and the decisions have come under fire from Frome town and Mendip district councillor, Helen Kay, and local community groups.
Cllr Kay says she is angry that both planning applications were discussed at the same meeting given their size and possible consequences for Frome. She said, “I was very annoyed with the officers at Mendip for bringing them both to the same meeting because they got less airtime for debate, especially Sandys Hill Lane, and possibly less media coverage too.
“Together, these developments will produce twice as many cars as Saxonvale (which has less parking provision/ dwelling) and have a bigger effect on the landscape as they are greenfield sites.”
Local campaign groups say they are frustrated that the plans have been given the go-ahead, describing them as a missed opportunity for Frome.
Community action group, Friends of Little Keyford (F.O.L.K.) who raised concerns about the loss of green space and the impact on wildlife said, “After raising fresh concerns about these developments – from access and road safety to loss of habitats and energy efficiency – we are clearly disappointed by the planning board’s decision.
“Perhaps of wider concern to people across Frome should be the lack of forward planning from developers and the fact that Mendip has not held them to account. With the spectre of Selwood Garden Community on the horizon, this was an ideal moment for the council to make sure developers put the best interests of current and future generations of Frome residents first. Unfortunately for our town, this has to go down as yet another missed opportunity.”
Furthermore, the STOP SGC campaign group – who were formed to oppose plans for the Selwood Garden Community (SGC), which would bring 1,700 houses to the south of the town – said, “There have been a number of less than satisfactory builds approved by Mendip District Council’s planning board recently, notable among them are Sandys Hill Lane and land south of The Mount. This is frustrating and goes further to show that the wishes of residents are being consistently disregarded.”
