A HOUSING estate in Frome could get the green light this week despite strong objections from local residents, Frome Town Council and Frome Civic Society.
A plan to build 64 new homes and a ‘community hub’ at the former Weston Vinyls factory on Vallis Road is set to go before Mendip District Council’s planning board this Wednesday, 21st September.
Mendip’s case officer has recommended that the board approve the application, despite requests from Frome Town Council and Frome Civic Society that it be turned down.
District councillor for the area, Helen Sprawson-White, told Frome Times she does not think the proposal is right for the neighbourhood and doesn’t take nearby residents into account.
“I don’t think this proposal is right for the area,” cllr Sprawson-White said. “I’m not against developing the site – it’s important that we build on brownfield sites – but this doesn’t take people already living here into consideration.
“There is no demand for this design’s community hub or art studios – we already have a hub nearby which can be expanded. What the area really needs is affordable housing, a shop and employment opportunities.
“We have told the developer this and it would have been nice if they had taken notice of what the community wants.”
The development, proposed by Sustainable Britain Ltd, would consist of custom-build homes in a mix of one to four bedrooms. It would also have a co-housing element – in place of affordable housing – in which people would live nearby and share facilities, including the community hub.
Cllr Sprawson-White, who represents Frome’s Oakfield Ward, criticised the developer for not proposing any affordable housing or s106 financial contributions to the council.
Frome Town Council and Frome Civic Society have both objected to the plan on the basis that the town would lose an ‘important employment site’, and that there should be affordable housing provided.
The town council was also concerned that there is no open green space included, and the civic society and cllr Sprawson-White raised issue with the fact that there appeared to be no back-up plan for running the community hub if residents were not willing or able to do it.
The application received 18 letters of objection from members of the public, and three in support.
Mendip’s case officer concluded that, “The proposed redevelopment of this site would result in a viable and sustainable mixed use development that benefits economic growth and contributes to the identified housing needs of Frome and the wider District.
“It is considered, on balance, that there are no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of granting planning permission.
“It is therefore recommended that delegated authority is given to approve planning permission, subject to conditions.”
