MORE than 2,400 new houses could be built across Frome if plans are approved by the district council this year.
The six planning applications in Frome make up for almost 30 percent of 8,306 houses proposed across 51 sites across the whole of Somerset, that are currently awaiting a decision by their respective councils.
The past 12 months have seen numerous large housing developments approved across the county – including 675 homes on the A39 Quantock Road in Bridgwater, the first 110 homes on the Crewkerne Key Site, and numerous sections of the Comeytrowe urban extension in Taunton.
But further sites will still need to be approved over the coming 12 months to ease the housing crisis, ensuring both existing residents and newcomers to the area have a place to call home.
The following six sites in Frome could be approved in 2022, delivering a combined total of 2,424 houses. However, these sites are where plans have already been submitted; more speculative screening requests, such as the 180 houses on Marston Lane in Frome – are not included.
• 1,700 homes (plus employment units, primary school etc.) at the Selwood Garden Community in Frome: the single largest development on the list would see Frome expand considerably, with new homes being delivered up to the A361 arterial road. If approved, the 1,700 homes will be delivered over a 15-year period, along with a new primary school, two employment sites, two care homes, new shops and restaurants, new wetlands and a solar farm.
• 249 homes on the B3092 The Mount in Frome: David Wilson Homes put forward plans for these two sites either side of the B3092 at the southern edge of Frome. Mendip District Council’s planning board was due to vote on the proposals in July, but a decision has been pushed back to at least January 2022 for more information on the sites’ masterplan to be made available.
• 198 homes on Sandys Hill Lane in Frome: outline permission for 235 homes and commercial units at Sandys Hill Lane in Frome were granted by Mendip’s planning board in July 2020. The Curo housing association has since put forward revised plans for 198 homes on the site, with a separate application for the commercial elements expected in the near-future.
• 182 homes (plus employment units, lido and relocated school) on the Saxonvale site in Frome: while Mendip District Council is pushing forward with its own Saxonvale proposals (approved for the second time in September), alternative proposals by the community group Mayday Saxonvale have been gaining momentum. Their plans entail fewer homes (182 compared to 300), along with offices and workshop space, a hotel and spa, a lido, and a music and performance space.
• 70 homes on Little Keyford Lane in Frome: This site lies to the north of the two David Wilson Homes’ applications on The Mount, with access being from Little Keyford Lane. Mendip’s planning board refused the plans in October, just as developer Wainhomes lodged an appeal on the grounds of non-determination (i.e. the council taking too long to make a decision). The date for the resulting public inquiry has not yet been confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate.
• 25 homes on Adderwell Lane in Frome: Persimmon Homes South West has put forward plans for the former Cuprinol factory site in Frome, which closed its doors back in 2001. The site lies next door to the Old Printworks development of 159 homes which is currently being constructed by the Acorn Property Group.
