A NEW planning application for Mendip District Council’s controversial plan for an office block made from steel shipping containers in the centre of Frome is said to be ‘coming soon’.
At last week’s annual town meeting, town councillor Mel Usher said that he ‘certainly believes’ that the application is about to be submitted and that the town council ‘will take a stance’ on the plans when they see the proposal.
Last year Mendip proposed to install 20 specially converted shipping containers in the Cattle Market car park, close to the Cheese and Grain and Frome Canoe Club.
But following strong objections from the public, the council said they would be proposing a second option, moving the containers across the car park to the Justice Lane area, alongside the public toilet facilities.
In October, cllr Tom Killen, portfolio holder for economic development and deputy leader of Mendip District Council said that the new plans would ‘be available to be viewed, and commented on, over the next month’, but as of yet, no plans have been submitted.
In response to the concerns raised by the public at the town meeting, cllr Usher said, “We need to get this straight; this is a Mendip proposal on Mendip land, and Mendip will make the planning decision, and Mendip will gain financially from it.
“There is some benefit to Frome in the potential increase in employment opportunities; possibly 75 to 100 new jobs. But that’s got to be measured against the car parking loss and the visual deterioration to the area.
“As far as we’re aware an application is coming – I’m told it’s an improved application which will be submitted by Mendip to themselves.
“We will take a stance as a town council as and when we see that proposal, but it is certainly coming soon.”
Marketing and Media Officer for Mendip District Council, Laura Thomas said, “It is still being worked on and no date has been set yet for submitting an application as far as I am aware. It’s true to say that an application is going to be submitted, but I am not sure it is imminent.”