A PIECE of land in Frome is being threatened by a planning application to build 96 homes. However, a protest group has formed who argue that the land should be saved for future generations.
A group of concerned Frome residents, called the ‘Save Cuckoo Hill, Spring Gardens’ group, gathered at the entrance to the rural field on the edge of Frome on Saturday 24th March
The planning application to build 96 homes, also has the provision of office space.
The spokesperson for the Save Cuckoo Hill, Spring Gardens group, Chris Hare, explained that they accept that there needs to be more houses built around Frome, but says that this site is one which Mendip District Council (MDC) has themselves assessed as ‘unsuitable’ on the grounds of sustainability.
Chris Hare said, “As MDC’s report says, ‘It is an area of rural character and any development would have a significant impact on the setting of Frome.’ The housing should not extend down the northern escarpment, housing should be placed in the most sustainable places. I urge the various local authorities to consider Frome as a whole, and not have piecemeal developments without the facilities to go with them.
“This application is for 96 homes crammed on a steeply sloping site with small gardens. It would stick out into the countryside and join country to town ie. the hamlet of Spring Gardens to Frome itself.
“Spring Gardens is named as such for a reason; there are three springs on this field and I recall the winter of 2013/14 when Spring Gardens was badly flooded and the road became impassable. This field soaks up the rain that pours down from the Packsaddle estate but, if it was built on, there would be the likelihood of even worse flooding.
“Only two weeks ago there were problems with sewage and one of the local residents took a video of raw sewage pouring down Spring Gardens.
“The developer has called the scheme an exemplar one and yet there is no green space, no play facilities and parking would be a nightmare. We are pleased that Frome Town Council are objecting to this application and would urge all concerned residents to do so as well. There is a Facebook page “Save Cuckoo Hill” with details of how to object, and objections must be made to Mendip by Easter Monday.”
Local residents, Vic and Jennie Atkins, have lived in Packsaddle Way for 38 years and say they have enjoyed the pleasure of good neighbours, peace, and a tranquil environment.
They said, “Our children have enjoyed and played in the fields with complete safety; do we really want this wonderful area taken away for children of future generations, to be surrounded by densely-packed houses without any parking, built like a rabbit warren?
“It would more than double the number of houses already in Packsaddle Way, making the cul-de-sac so long it would be very dangerous to all residents. Mendip District Council has stated the field is unsustainable for building development, it has a large variety of wildlife which would be completely lost if building work was permitted.
“We urge local people to object to Mendip District Council about this potential development, urging them to leave a much-loved beautiful field in its natural state.”
