A NEW planning application has been submitted for Mendip District Council’s controversial plan for an office block made from steel shipping containers in the centre of Frome.
The new proposal increases the number of shipping containers from 20 to 23, which will be used as offices and gallery space, and moves them from the original proposed site of next to the Cheese and Grain and Frome Canoe Club, to the Justice Lane area of the Cattle Market car park alongside the public toilet facilities.
The colour of the containers will also be a ‘softer tone’, a move away from the original unpopular black containers proposed.
One change not disclosed in the press release issued by Mendip District Council is the impact on the number of parking spaces, which was a concern raised during the first application last year by the public and businesses such as the Cheese & Grain.
The new location for the proposed shipping containers will result in the loss of 29 car parking spaces and three disabled parking spaces – compared to a loss of 16 spaces in the original proposal. However Mendip District Council says that they are ‘looking at the reallocation of car parking spaces that will be removed as part of this proposal’.
Talking to Frome Times, Steve Macarthur, from the Cheese & Grain said, “We are calling a special board meeting on Wednesday (20th June), so currently we have not taken a view on the application. The board will scrutinise the application and come to a view at the meeting – but the Cheese & Grain will only stay open if it has enough car parking spaces around it.
“We have a 850 capacity and around 60% of our customers come from outside Frome. The Cheese & Grain is important to Frome’s economy, we employ around 50 people, and local hotels and B&Bs benefit from us – we probably contribute several million to Frome’s economy.
“It’s my personal view that it is a shame they are not putting up buildings of merit in the town. The proposal is next to a conservation area, and whilst the new proposal looks better than the last, the people of Frome need to think if they really want this, they are still tin cans at the end of the day – we shouldn’t be building something temporary.
“Why are we putting workers in metal containers? We should be constructing proper buildings. This is something that should be a public debate.”
The idea of moving the site of the containers to the Justice Lane area of the car park was first introduced in October by the council following strong objections from the public and the town council to the original proposal. However, this is the first time the proposal has been made formally.
In October, some Frome residents took to social media to criticise the new proposed location, firmly stating that they do not want the containers anywhere in the centre of town,
However, the district council has said that the alternative site has been proposed ‘following feedback from the local community, after listening closely to their concerns’. They also say that the scheme ‘will create much needed start-up space for Frome entrepreneurs in the centre of town and will also create an attractive new open space for Frome residents’.
The scheme will face out onto Black Swan Arts on Justice Lane, and it will include within it an additional gallery space on the lower floor of the development, for Black Swan Arts.
Amanda Sheridan, chair of Black Swan Arts said, “Much as we love our building, it does have some limitations due to its age and nature, and we look forward to expanding into an additional gallery space and taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the new public area between ourselves and the new development.”
Cllr Tom Killen, portfolio holder for economic development and deputy leader of Mendip District Council said, “We have listened to the concerns from the local community following the original proposal, and the new proposal submitted puts the development alongside Justice Lane following promotion by local individuals and groups in Frome for this alternative location.
“Crucially at a time when the High Street is under pressure from reducing custom, we are committed to support our towns by encouraging more people into town centres and by offering this workspace and an attractive open space around the front of the site, facing the Black Swan Arts. We believe this will offer a real attraction in the town.
“For Frome and Mendip as a whole to thrive, it’s essential we do all we can to attract new businesses to the district, as well as retaining those businesses which are already well established. By offering this scheme it means that Frome-based entrepreneurs will be able to work in the town and not have to travel to find suitable facilities elsewhere.
“However, we do recognise that there was some serious concerns locally with the original proposals and we believe that the work we have done in developing the new proposal will help to alleviate those concerns. The change in location, subtle changes to the exterior colour and the creation of an attractive open outdoor space, we hope will make the scheme more appealing to the local community.
“We would like thank everyone who has been involved with the development of the proposal and have given their feedback on the initial plans. We are really clear that this scheme is all about attracting new businesses to Frome by tackling the shortage of suitable workspace in the town and it is clear from the feedback we have received that there is widespread support for our innovative approach.”
Letters will be sent to all neighbouring properties that will be affected by the scheme now being located on Justice Lane to ensure that they are consulted on the new proposal.
The planning application is available to view on www.mendip.gov.uk using the following planning application reference number: 2018/1424/RE3. The deadline for comments on the application is Wednesday 27th June.
It is expected that the application will go to the Mendip District Council planning board meeting at the council offices in Shepton Mallet on Wednesday 18th July at 6pm.
