CAMPAIGNERS say they remain hopeful that a cherished green space in Frome could be transferred to the town council to prevent the threat of future housing development. Mendip District Council says that while it is under their ownership, its intended future use is as land for a cemetery extension.
Mendip District Council originally intended to build up to 77 new low-cost homes on Easthill Field north of the A362 Warminster Road as part of its social housing partnership with Aster Group.
Following a six-month campaign by local people, the district council’s cabinet voted in May 2021 to remove the Easthill site from the programme and promised not to develop the land for the duration of the current administration.
The Friends of Easthill Field are now trying to transfer the land to Frome Town Council, making it more likely this land will be preserved and enhanced when the new unitary authority takes over in April 2023.
The district council’s asset management panel – which handles the purchase and disposal of land and commercial investments – was due to discuss the fate of two Frome sites when it met last week on Wednesday 23rd February.
Due to the commercially sensitive nature of each item, the discussions took place in confidential session and the agenda papers do not specify the location of each site.
However, the council has confirmed that neither item on the agenda referred to the Easthill land.
A spokesperson said, “Firstly, we can confirm the asset management items do not relate to Easthill.
“With regards to Easthill, we would remind residents of the May 2021 decision taken by members of the cabinet to remove the council-owned land at Easthill from the scope of the social and affordable housing programme.
“It was agreed the site would be retained in council ownership with a view to its intended future use reverting to cemetery extension land. It was made clear at the time that this decision would be in place for the entire duration of this current administration. That position still stands.”
Campaigner Bharati Pardhy said this assurance was not enough, given Easthill’s significance as a site designated within Natural England ‘s biodiversity action plan (BAP).
She said, “Mendip was only able to say that, for the duration of the current administration, Easthill would be removed from the list of potential development sites.
“What happens now we are moving into unitary and meetings are being held to decide what happens to Mendip-owned land at Easthill?”
As the vesting day of the new unitary authority approaches – approximately one year on from the local elections on May 5th – the five existing councils are considering which existing assets could be transferred to town or parish councils, if a more local approach to a given asset would be beneficial.
However, the Friends of Easthill Field said they are confident there is sufficient support on all sides to transfer the Easthill site into local ownership over the coming months.
A spokesperson said, “Negotiations between Frome Town Council and the district council to discuss the transfer for Easthill Field into town council ownership, along with other green community spaces in Frome, will take place very soon.
“These open green spaces have been identified as having environmental and community value for Frome.”
In February, Frome Town Council agreed to enter into negotiations with Mendip District Council to acquire a number of open spaces in the town that have ‘community’ and ‘environmental’ value, including Easthill.
Around 25 open spaces, currently owned by Mendip District Council, have been earmarked by the town council for them to take on ownership and become responsible for their maintenance. Acquisition will allow the town council to “protect them from neglect or built development” and use them for “community engagement”.
Anyone wishing to lend their support to the Easthill planned transfer should email town councillor Sara Butler via: sbutler@frometowncouncil.gov.uk
Photo by Bharati Pardhy
