A REVISED planning application for permission to build up to 1,700 new homes on the edge of Frome has been submitted.
The scheme, by Grass Roots Planning Ltd on behalf of Land Value Alliances and Landowners Consortium, would see a development called the Selwood Garden Community built on land south of Frome, off Marston Road.
Plans for the scheme were originally submitted in 2021, but have now been updated, to address “a range of comments that have been made by statutory consultees and the council”.
An outlines application, the plans do not include full details, but do outline an intention to build up to 1,700 homes, including an allocation of affordable dwellings, as well as a primary school, two care homes, shops and cafes.
Click here to open the Selwood Garden Community masterplan in a new window
The application outlines: “The vision is to deliver an innovative and sustainable community integrated with both the town and the countryside.
“Providing intimate neighbourhoods, community facilities and employment spaces set in the distinctive countryside of the River Frome Valley; it will help Frome’s wider transition to a low-carbon economy and will help enable the One Planet Living Agenda to be put into practice.”
It said privately-owned agricultural land would be transformed into community meadows, orchards, parks and allotments, alongside a “network of footpaths and cycleways” and employment premises.
Of the 1,700 homes, the application said 30% would be affordable – around 510 homes. In total, 67% would be for social rent (1,139), 25% first homes (425) and 8% shared ownership (136).
The proposal indicates a split of 29 two-bed flats, 298 two-bed houses, 599 three-bed houses, 159 four-bed houses, 17 five-bed houses and 88 self-build plots.
An illustration of how the community hub/local centre could look. Picture: Grass Roots Planning Ltd/Somerset Council
“This housing mix is illustrative and may change, however it gives a general direction to future developers and will not be changed significantly unless updated housing evidence such as a new Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) or commercial assessment identifies that an alternative approach should be considered,” the application said.
Meanwhile, two care homes would provide up to 105 beds, with a first school providing two-form entry and a nursery.
Restaurants and cafes, as well as a convenience store and takeaways would also be developed on the site, as well as a dentist and premises for businesses.
A previous application prompted hundreds of comments from residents, but the amended plans are now set to be considered by Somerset Council.
I think putting this with Frome would destroy the town and what it has to offer
What about a doctors surgery?
A population increase of approx 5/6000, from babies to the elderly, is a huge workload for an already busy Frome Medical Centre to contend with.
I agree with you
My concern is the potential for flooding as I live in this area and have not known ‘run off’ like it from the fields where building is already happening. Our lanes and gardens have been under water as well as fields and main roads this site will be build on and near. How long will it be until our houses are flooded, do we have to wait for this to happen before it’s taken notice of? This is not suitable land for building on.
No we do not want houses on this beautiful green countryside. Frome is unable to cope with doctors. Dentists, senior schools, limited public transport one post office with the population as it is niw
So, it “may change dependent on the commercial assessment.” That means it will probably change in favour of the developer with an opaque document that will not be publicly accessible and it should be 40% affordable based on a multiple of the average local salary. No mention of key worker housing. Are they going to go above building regs for its low carbon impact- and will they give iron clad guarantees that they will do so.
No Thankyou ,I think Frome has had its fair share of new houses,enough is enough
How will the extra demands on the social services be catered for ie: sewage, secondary school, swimming & sports facilities?
In other words a new town
The promised school at Edmund Park development never got built,so will they actually build the promised facilities here?or just the houses,as Somerset council has to cut funding!
Could a new station be built? I think this would be very favourable. You have the track there. There is also bridge lane, is this part of the land? It would help discourage more cars into town if there was better infrastructure. Please consider it! The train line needs to improve as it is!
Even if you think this looks nice it won’t turn out that way, developers are always promising and never delivering, just look at the mess they have already made .
Far too many houses not enough infra structure spoiling lovely green space