By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby
The planned site of 1,700 new homes on the southern edge of Frome has been put up for sale on the open market.
The Selwood Garden Community (SGC) will see new homes on agricultural land between the B3090 Marston Lane and the busy A361, along with commercial space, two care homes, a local centre (which shops and a possible medical centre), a primary school and a range of public open spaces and sports facilities.
Housing secretary Steve Reed MP gave the green light to the proposals in April, having called in the decision back in February 2025 and staged a public inquiry in Shepton Mallet in early-August.
Cooper and Tanner is now advertising the land for sale, with interested parties having until 16th September to put in their bids.
Of the 1,700 homes proposed for the site, 30 per cent will be affordable – the equivalent of 510 homes, which will be a mixture of social rented, shared ownership and other low-cost options.
Cooper and Tanner – which has an office on The Bridge in Frome town centre – described the site as “an outstanding opportunity for housebuilders, investors and development partners alike”, adding that it would be accepting bids for either the entire site or dividing the areas into three separate lots.
A spokesperson said, “The site offers the ability to provide an excellent phased scheme with a clear deliverable platform, with front-loaded access points and appropriate triggers for phased employment, social infrastructure and phase-by-phase drainage.
“The freehold is being offered for sale via informal tender. It will be a two round process with initial bids sought by 16th September.
“Those parties that submit a bid will be informed whether they are invited for the second round interview stage (which is anticipated to be held in late-October) following a review of submissions.
“Interest from prospective parties is invited either as a whole or in three principal parts – being the residential, employment land and the care home gateway building.
“Joint bids may be presented but it is not anticipated that the property would be further subdivided.”
The successful bidder(s) will submit detailed plans (known as a reserved matters application) for the first phase of the new development by the spring of 2027.
Due to the scale and significance of the development, these plans will most likely come before the council’s planning committee east (which handles major applications within the former Mendip area) for final approval.
Until such plans are approved, no construction can take place on the site – though some vegetation clearance or similar preliminary work can occur.
Pictured: Site of the proposed Selwood Garden Community. Credit: Cooper and Tanner
