Alternative funding to upgrade two key Somerset roundabouts will need to be found if 1,700 new homes are not given the green light.
The Selwood Garden Community (SGC) is intended to deliver 1,700 homes, commercial space, a new primary school and other facilities in Frome, extending the existing edge of the town all the way to the A361.
The plans commit to numerous improvements to Frome’s road network, including upgrades to the Beckington and White Row roundabouts, which handle significant volumes of traffic between Frome and Bath via the A36.
Somerset Council’s planning committee east voted in December 2024 that it was “minded to refuse” the plans, with this decision is expected to be ratified by the same committee in early-February.
National Highways has confirmed that neither roundabout can be upgraded without these homes going ahead – meaning the council will have to find funding from other sources.
The Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was ratified by councillors in December 2021, commits to delivering improvements to these two roundabouts in order to mitigate the additional housing sites identified within the plan.
The plan only includes a small part of the land that would form the SGC, but includes the Keyford Meadows site on Sandys Hill Lane (being constructed by Curo) and the three developments currently under construction either side of the B3092 The Mount (being delivered by David Wilson Homes and Wain Homes.
The plan acknowledges that upgrades to offset these homes (and any others delivered in the Frome area) will be needed at the Beckington and White Row roundabout, since housing growth will have “a significant impact on traffic flows” in this part of Somerset and into neighbouring Wiltshire.
A spokesman said: “Scheme for the A36 Beckington roundabout and the A36 White Row roundabout are required to ensure that the proposed developments in Frome enable effective highway circulation and ensure that the functionality of the highway network is not compromised.”
The Beckington roundabout connects the A36 to Bath with the A361 towards Trowbridge, as well as providing access to Beckington services and the northern end of the village.
At the same time as the Beckington upgrade, the northbound lane of the A36 will be widened, with similar improvements in signage and surfacing to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and minimise collisions.
At a later stage of the construction process, additional improvements could be made to the White Row roundabout, including widening the A361 southbound.
However, while the money will be set aside for this within the SGC legal agreement, their implementation will be subject to subsequent monitoring – meaning the money could be returned if they are not deemed to be necessary.
The combined improvements to both roundabouts is currently estimated to cost £4.23m, with the design work for these improvements being funded by other developments in Frome.
The planning committee east will make its final ruling on the SGC plans when it meets in Shepton Mallet on February 4 at 2pm.