Frome is set to welcome 1,700 new homes over the next 15 years following the central government’s approval of the Selwood Garden Community (SGC) development. The project, which has drawn fierce criticism from local councillors and residents who call it a “mockery of local democracy,” will transform agricultural land between the B3090 Marston Lane and the busy A361 into a mixed-use area with housing, commercial spaces, care homes, a local centre, a primary school, and various public amenities.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) intervened in the approval process in February 2025, ultimately holding a planning inquiry in Shepton Mallet in August 2025. Housing Secretary Steve Reed has now given formal approval for the plan, which allocates 30% of the new homes—about 510 units—as affordable housing, including social rented and shared ownership options.
Key infrastructure improvements are also planned, notably upgrades to the Beckington and White Post roundabouts, vital for connecting Frome to neighboring villages and towns such as Bath and Trowbridge. However, only a small segment of the entire site was included in the updated Mendip Local Plan Part II, with much of the development encroaching on areas traditionally protected for open countryside.
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While Somerset Council opted for a neutral position in the inquiry, raising concerns mainly about the financial contributions towards local facilities, Planning Inspector Stephen Normington emphasized the urgent need for new housing, including affordable options. He acknowledged that the development breached existing local planning policies but described those policies as “out of date” since they date back to 2014. He further argued that Frome’s extensive amenities would ensure the development’s sustainability.
Inspector Normington highlighted the significant employment potential of the project, estimating it could generate 565 full-time equivalent jobs along with 200 additional roles in retail, education, and care facilities. He conceded that the development would cause moderate to major visual impacts on the local landscape but insisted these effects would be localized and not jeopardize the nearby Cranborne Chase national landscape.
Traffic assessments indicated that, with necessary improvements to key roundabouts, the development would not cause unacceptable highway safety issues or severe congestion. Still, Normington stressed the pressing need for enhanced sustainable transport infrastructure to reduce car dependency among residents.
Despite these assurances, local Green Party representatives and many community members voiced strong opposition. The Frome Area Green Party condemned the government’s decision as disregarding public will, emphasizing concerns about overcrowded roads and strained local resources. Frome Town Council’s planning committee chair, Steve Tanner, acknowledged community apprehensions but highlighted ongoing efforts to negotiate infrastructure improvements and affordable housing provisions.
Anna Sabine, Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset, urged a constructive focus on ensuring the development delivers promised facilities and social housing, committing to hold developers accountable.
The Selwood Garden Community consortium plans to submit detailed designs for the development’s first phase before the year’s end, with final approval likely resting with the council’s planning committee. Until then, construction cannot begin, although some preliminary site works may proceed.