160 NEW homes are set to replace the former Butler, Tanner and Dennis print factory on Caxton Road, after developers London & County secured permission for the build last week.
The property developer was given the go-ahead for its plans to demolish the factory and replace it with approximately 160 one to five bedroom houses and flats.
The new homes were approved by Mendip District Council despite being against the wishes of Frome Town Council and Frome Civic Society.
Town councillor and chair of Frome’s planning advisory group, Pippa Goldfinger said, “We are disappointed but I don’t think Mendip is entirely to blame – our concerns were listened to, but this decision showed the weakness of the planning system which is unable to resist and has limited powers to shape commercial interests.
“As the site had previously received outline permission for a 150-house scheme, it was unsurprising that members voted to approve the new application. I think they did so with a heavy heart and there was genuine concern amongst the board.”
Printing firm Butler, Tanner and Dennis was evicted from the site and went into administration in 2014 after failing to agree a new lease on the factory.
Frome Town Council expressed concerns about London & County’s proposal because it had removed the employment aspect from a similar application made in 2013.
Cllr Goldfinger told Frome Times, “I’m worried that we’re seeing a number of applications to turn former or potential employment sites into housing. It is changing the balance of the number of people who live in Frome and the number of people who can work in Frome, but housing is necessary and more valuable to developers so it’s hard to argue against it.”
Other concerns raised by the council and civic society were that there had been no public consultation on the plan, that it has poor pedestrian and cycling links, and that not enough affordable housing was proposed – 5% of the site will be affordable housing, instead of the usually recommended 30%.
At the planning meeting, district councillors Damon Hooton and Des Harris spoke about concerns over lack of affordable housing, and the issue of decisions being based on confidential company documents unavailable to councillors.
“The application was discussed at length and it was clear that the planning and housing officers had been diligent, and that the members understood the problems of losing employment land to housing and lack of affordable housing.
“The town council will aim to work with London & County to get the best out of the scheme as it moves forward, and we will also be looking at ways to help Mendip District Council deliver its affordable housing and employment land requirements in Frome.”
London & County’s application is expected to go ahead on the condition that financial contributions to the community are agreed.
To see the plans in full enter reference 2015/1392/OTS in the planning search at www.mendip.gov.uk
