Residents of a planned housing development in Frome could face a narrow, steep walk into the town centre if the plans are approved.

Packsaddle Fields, which lies on Frome’s northern edge, has been in public ownership since 1973 and was originally earmarked for a new school. Watch the live stream below to see what it's like to walk in Packsaddle Fields.

Somerset County Council announced in March 2022 that it was planning to sell the land off, entering into an agreement with housing association LiveWest.

The housing association is currently consulting on plans for 74 homes and a children’s home on the site, with residents having until today (Tuesday, July 4th) to submit formal objections.

If the homes are approved, those living on the site without a car will have to navigate narrow footpaths and steep sloping pavements in order to walk into the town centre and access local amenities.

Walking from the existing fields (which are very popular with dog walkers), the quickest route into the town centre involves a footpath down to Park Hill Drive – a footpath which is narrow, unlit and has not been resurfaced for some time.

Park Hill Drive itself slopes down into the Welshmill area, with a steep camber on the pavements – making it difficult for wheelchair users or people with pushchairs.

At the bottom of Park Hill Drive, pedestrians have to negotiate a staggered junction over Welshmill Road and Innox Hill to reach Welshmill Lane – with no zebra or pelican crossings, and visibility being hampered by parked cars.

If they get this far, they can then use the flat and level cycle-path along the River Frome, allowing them to access the town centre via the Cheese and Grain arts venue.

The green space was designated an asset of community value by Mendip District Council in January, following an enthusiastic campaign by the pressure group People for Packsaddle (PfP).

This means that if the sale of the land is formally announced, it will trigger a six-month moratorium – during which time the community will have the opportunity to bid to purchase the land outright.

Under the Mendip Local Plan (which was automatically carried over to the new Somerset Council), 30 per cent of all new homes in a development of ten homes or more must be affordable.

However, LiveWest’s plans envisage 74 homes being sold at full market value, citing viability concerns – with the possibility of 22 affordable properties being provided if central government grants can be secured.

Part of the site will be allocated for a home for children with disabilities, which will be run by the county council’s partner Homes2Inspire as part of a push to deliver ten new such homes by 2030.

Just over one-third (36 per cent) of the site will be retained as green space, with a community orchard and play area being provided and the existing public rights of way through the site being maintained.

PfP head Toby Culff said: “We have always maintained that this is not a suitable site for a housing development.

“Even if it were, what is being proposed is mainly three- and four-bedroom houses which will be sold for upwards of half a million pounds.

“This proposal will do nothing to meet the housing needs of Frome whilst sacrificing a precious and well-used green space.”

In addition, each of the new homes will be fitted with gas boilers, rather than solar panels or energy efficient heat pumps.

Mr Culff added: “We are urging the people of Frome to make their voices heard and stand up to these unscrupulous plans which put profit before community, climate and ecology.”

LiveWest has committed to delivering nearly 200 new homes in rural areas over the next two years, following the delivery of 171 new properties since 2021 – including the Winterhay Lane development in Ilminster.

Development director Gareth Jones said: “At LiveWest, we are committed to strengthening and supporting these communities by creating access to excellent affordable housing across Somerset.

“We work in a broad range of rural communities to deliver homes that people can afford to live in.

“We are developing a number of sites in rural communities that will provide affordable homes both to rent and buy.

“Running parallel with our drive to support the provision of rural homes is our focus on energy efficiency, ensuring that all our new homes are well-built and insulated to help deliver cost savings for our customers.

“With more than 550 rural homes planned for the next two years, we remain committed to providing great homes and helping to sustain vibrant rural communities.”

To make a formal representation on the Packsaddle Fields planning application, visit here and search for application reference number 2023/0864/FUL.

LDRS, Daniel Mumby