Somerset Council will not openly fight to prevent hundreds of new homes coming to Frome for fear of incurring a legal bill in excess of £400,000.
A public inquiry will be held in July to determine the fate of the Selwood Garden Community (SGC), comprising 1,700 new homes, commercial space, a primary school and other facilities at the southern edge of the town.
Before the government called in the decision in February, the council had been ‘minded to refuse’ the plans, with its planning committee east stating a list of possible grounds in December 2024 which would have been formalised by planning officers.
But the same committee has now agreed to take a neutral stance at the inquiry – meaning it will offer no evidence against the plans and only contest the level and timing of financial contributions towards local facilities.
Local campaigners begged the council not to take such a stance when the committee convened in Shepton Mallet on Friday morning (March 28).
Dr. Patricia Smith, from the Frome and District Civic Society, said: “The elephant in the room, which everyone seems to have ignored, is the size of the SGC – and size matters.
“This would be the second-largest development in Somerset; only in Taunton, which has significant transport infrastructure, would you find anything on this scale.
“Quality assurance must be established at the start and, importantly, maintained over time. The proposed design delivery process with SGC is unworkable and frankly bizarre.
“If no evidence is offered against this, that is tantamount to supporting it, as you well know. Given you were minded to refuse this in December before the call-in, it is right for you to oppose it.”
Following the committee’s February meeting (just 24 hours after the call-in), Frome Town Council entered into further discussion with Land Value Alliances, which is promoting the SGC application on behalf of the landowners’ consortium.
The promoter has agreed to several concessions, including redistributing funding for upgrades to the B3090 The Butts if not needed, additional contributions to medical facilities as homes are delivered, and prioritising affordable housing for Frome and Selwood parish residents.
Over £718,000 will be allocated for active travel improvements, bus vouchers, or car clubs if transport targets are not met. Main access and spine roads must be completed within three years to enable commercial space marketing. Funds set aside for Frome Town United Football Academy and Frome Town Rugby Football Club can be redirected to other sports facilities if planning permission is not secured.
After more than two hours of debate, the committee voted to take a neutral stance at the inquiry by eight votes to three, with one abstention.
Planning inspector Stephen Normington indicated in early-March that the inquiry will be set for 12 days, beginning on July 29, and will include at least one site visit.
To make a formal representation to the inquiry, visit www.acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk and quote reference number 3360037 by April 4.
The venue for the inquiry will be confirmed by Somerset Council by mid-July.