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Search the Public Notice PortalFrome will be getting another 1,700 homes over the next 15 years in a "mockery of local democracy" following a ruling by central government.
The Selwood Garden Community (SGC) envisions the creation of new homes on agricultural land between the B3090 Marston Lane and the busy A361, along with commercial space, two care homes, a local centre (which shops and a possible medical centre), a primary school and a range of public open spaces and sports facilities.
A decision on the plans was called in by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in February 2025, with a planning inquiry being held in Shepton Mallet in early-August 2025.
Housing secretary Steve Reed has now given the go-ahead to the proposals, much to the chagrin of local councillors and campaigners.
Here's everything you need to know:
What will be delivered as part of this development?
Of the 1,700 homes proposed for the site, 30 per cent will be affordable – the equivalent of 510 homes, which will be a mixture of social rented, shared ownership and other low-cost options.
The consortium will also make improvements to the Beckington and White Post roundabouts, which provide key links to the neighbouring villages along with Bath and Trowbridge.
Only a small part of the SGC site was allocated for housing within the recently-updated Mendip Local Plan Part II - a plan which included numerous other sides on the southern edge of Frome which are currently being built out, including the Keyford Meadows site on Sandys Hill Lane and several developments either side of the B3092 The Mount.
Somerset Council agreed in late-March 2025 to take a neutral stance for the inquiry - meaning it offered no evidence against the plans at the inquiry, only contesting the level and timing of financial contributions towards local facilities.
What did the inspector say?
Planning inspector Stephen Normington said there was a "pressing and compelling need" to provide new housing (including affordable housing) within the former Mendip area, noting there was "little prospect" of the council's housing land supply provision improving over the next five years.
He admitted that the development would breach the Mendip Local Plan Part I, specifically its policies designed to limit building in open countryside and outside the Frome settlement boundary.
However, he reasoned that both policies were "out of date" (having been ratified back in 2014) and that Frome's "wide range of everyday facilities and services" would make the development sufficiently sustainable.
Mr Normington said there was "a clear need" for employment land within the town, and that the council's existing policies "allows for the flexibility that unallocated land for employment may come forward, including in locations on the fringes of the main towns".
He added: "The delivery of dedicated employment land, with the potential to generate 565 full-time equivalent jobs and an additional 200 jobs in other employment-generating space - including retail, education and care homes - carries significant weight".
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Mr Normington said the development would result in "moderate to major adverse visual effects" on the landscape, including views from Frome's extensive public rights of way network - but added that these effects would be "localised" and would not have a serious impact on the nearby Cranborne Chase national landscape.
Regarding traffic levels, the inspector said that the development would not result in an "unacceptable impact" on highway safety, nor would it "give rise to a severe residual detrimental impact on the safe and efficient operation of the highway network".
He added, however, that this would depend on improvements to the Beckington and White Row roundabouts being implemented, and stressed that "improvements to sustainable transport and active travel assets in Frome" should be pushed forward to reduce residents' reliance on cars.
He concluded: "The adverse impacts of the development would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the substantial benefits of the scheme when taken as a whole."
How have local councillors reacted?
The Selwood Garden Community lies within the Frome East division, represented by Green Party councillors Shane Collins and Helen Kay.
In a joint statement, members of the Frome Area Green Party condemned the government's decision, stating: "There was overwhelming opposition to building this estate of 1,700 homes on the edge of the town.
"To have been denied the right to vote on this landmark decision for Frome makes a mockery of local democracy.
"The government handed this decision to an Inspector with no connection to the local community.
"This decision was all too predictable and Frome people will live with the consequences of overcrowded roads and a strain on local resources for generations to come."
How has Frome Town Council responded?
Councillor Steve Tanner, chairman of Frome Town Council's planning committee, said: "I understand that there are mixed feelings and real concern about this decision and about the impact of this development on our local infrastructure.
"We have stayed at the table over the past five years, working closely with the developer and Somerset Council to push for the best possible outcome for Frome.
"That means proper infrastructure, improvements to the A361/A362 junction, investment in community buildings, employment opportunities and making sure active travel is built in from the start, not as an afterthought.
"Crucially, this scheme secures approximately 510 new affordable and socially rented homes for local people, which is something Frome desperately needs.
"So while we recognise people’s concerns, we also believe this approach is much better than the inevitable piecemeal developments coming forward and we will continue to work with developers to drive forward the best possible development for Frome."
How has the local MP reacted?
Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset, said: "I know the scale of this has been a real concern for many local residents, and I understand those feelings. Change of this size is never straightforward.
"But with that decision made, I want to focus on what matters most now: making sure this development delivers what it's promised.
"That means new community facilities, and much-needed social housing for people in our area.
As your MP, I'll be working closely with the community to hold the developers to account and to make sure Frome & East Somerset gets the very best from this."
What happens next?
The Selwood Garden Community consortium will put forward detailed plans (known as a reserved matters application) for the first phase of the new development before the end of the year.
Due to the scale and significance of the development, these plans will most likely come before the council's planning committee east for final approval.
Until such plans are approved, no construction can take place on the site - though some vegetation clearance or similar preliminary work can occur.
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