Councillors cast doubt on plans for 1,700 homes

Councillors have said they are "minded to refuse" proposals for 1,700 new homes near Frome, leaving the plans hanging in the balance.

Outline plans were submitted to Somerset Council in August 2021 for the Selwood Garden Community (SGC), proposed for land between the A361 and the southern edge of the town.

According to the plans, the development would include a local centre and community hub, two residential care homes and a primary school for 420 pupils.

The SCG has been approached for comment.

The council's planning committee east narrowly voted it was "minded to refuse" permission, with a reason for the refusal expected in two months' time, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Of the 1,700 homes proposed for the site, 30% would be affordable - the equivalent of 510 homes, which will be a mixture of social rented, shared ownership and other low-cost options.

Shortly before the meeting, National Highways withdrew its holding objection to the plans after the consortium promised to make improvements to the Beckington and White Post roundabouts.

However, Frome residents still spoke strongly against the plans.

Mike Bull, from the Friends of the River Frome, said: "There is a very well-documented problem with combined sewage outflows releasing sewage into the river.

"This development must not make this bad situation worse."

Joe Hannam Maggs, from the Stop SGC campaign group, said: "There has been no historic under-delivery of housing in Frome.

"Mendip has done pretty well at meeting its housing targets compared to other districts. Why are we even considering this site?"

Richard Swann, from the Frome & District Civic Society, said approving the plans would lead to disjointed development across the town's southern edge.

"This will not deliver genuinely affordable homes at the urgent rate which is needed," he said.

Steve Tanner, from Frome Town Council, said the development was "a missed opportunity" and the consortium was not providing enough money for improvements to the town.

The council's planning officers will now formalise the reasons for refusal, with a further vote expected to be taken in February 2025.

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