Major planning applications discussed at extraordinary meeting

An extraordinary planning meeting was held by Frome Town Council last week, where two major planning applications that could see nearly 500 houses built on the edge of Frome were discussed. 

The meeting on Thursday 19th March discussed plans for 360 houses on land between Frome and the village of Oldford, and 120 houses on land at Little Keyford Lane, The Mount.

Residents attended the meeting in force, sharing their concerns and objections to both developments.

360 homes – Land east of Frome Rugby Club

The application proposes to build 360 houses on land east of Frome Ruby Club in Oldford.

Submitted by Barwood Land, it proposes a mix of housing types with 30% affordable, including a new country park and community woodland.

However, following a presentation from Barwood Land at the meeting on 19th March, residents spoke against the application, raising concerns about the impact to Frome’s local wildlife, roads and a lack of infrastructure to cope with further developments.

Frome Town Council did not provide a formal recommendation about the development, saying it needed to wait for further information and revisions to some of the plans, which are expected from the developer.

However, Cllr Mark Dorrington said people in Frome are getting ‘fed up’ of seeing developers ‘destroy’ what is making Frome a ‘good place to live.’

He said, “Any plans we see will only be generic; they won’t be what the houses will look like this could change completely. This is what has happened all over the town this is what has happened with Selwood Garden Community, it happened at Marston Lane, which was defeated at an appeal. It’s happening all over the town.

“The irony of us listening to this application is that the site is entirely within Berkley Parish Council but the 370 houses won’t be using the facilities that are provided by Berkley Parish Council because there aren’t any. They will be using our schools, our doctors and our dentists and so that has to be addressed.”

Cllr Dorrington, as lead councillor for open spaces, said that whilst the idea of a new community park was ‘attractive’ it would be Frome that would end up having to pay in time and money to maintain the space.

120 homes – Little Keyford Lane, The Mount

A planning application for 120 houses on land at Little Keyford Lane, The Mount, was submitted last year by Barratt David Wilson Homes.

At the planning meeting on 19th March, residents shared their objections around highways and pedestrian access from the B3092, impact to wildlife, including bats that nest in the area, lighting, flooding and drainage risks on the land.

Frome Town Council is awaiting revised documents from the developer addressing these concerns before recommending a response.

Frome Town Council’s Planning Manager Jane Llewellyn said, “It does seem from listening that there if the drainage is ok, the highways and connectivity sorted out there is a potential for the application to be supported but we have got to be 100% sure about the impact of the drainage, highways and lighting. At this point in time, I don’t think I can recommend a response.”

Pictured: The proposed site for homes near Frome Rugby Club