PORTWAY residents have been celebrating after plans to build a 6m x 3m illuminated billboard were rejected by the Somerset East Planning Board on Tuesday 5th September on grounds of visual amenity and transport safety.
In January 2023 Mendip planning officers, using delegated powers, passed an application to allow a digital billboard on Portway. This was despite strong public objections, a large petition, no letters of notification and a demonstration with 70 local residents. The developer, Wildstone Estates, decided to listen to the public opinion and shelved that application.
Wildstones then submitted an alternative application for an illuminated paper and paste board, which also had objections, this was taken to the Somerset East planning board and debated in public and duly turned down on grounds of amenity and road safety.
Jerry Cripps, local resident, who set up the No Billboard in Portway Facebook group said, “It’s amazing to see what can be achieved when people get together to get their voice heard. Thank you to everyone who got involved and showed your support, especially cllr Shane Collins, which was essential to achieving this victory for the people of Frome.”
Cllr Shane Collins, Green councillor for Frome East added, “It is great to see that good sense has, at last, prevailed. These corporate billboard selling points have no place in rural towns with a cost of living crisis, right opposite a conservation area and part of the eastern entrance to Frome from the train station.
“This is a big victory for the people of Portway and Wallbridge who campaigned against this commercial eyesore on their doorstep, as well as the 300 plus people who signed the petition and the vociferous residents and town councillors who demonstrated on a Sunday morning and in particular local resident Jerry Cripps, who provided the backbone for this successful campaign. This is part of a growing UK movement against using public space for corporate profit.”
