A major new residential development is proposed near Frome’s rugby club, with plans for up to 360 new homes on the northern edge of the town. Barwood Land, the land promoter behind the project, has submitted formal plans following a series of consultations and revisions over recent years.
The site covers approximately 85 acres (just over 34 hectares) between Frome Rugby Football Club on Gypsy Lane and the B3090 Oldford Hill. Initial proposals in early 2024 envisioned up to 420 homes, but after community feedback and consultations, the number was adjusted to 360.
Access to the new development will be provided through three new junctions—two on Oldford Hill and one on Gypsy Lane. Part of Gypsy Lane will be closed east of the agricultural buildings and rerouted to connect with one of the new spine roads on Oldford Hill.
Of the 360 planned homes, 108 will be designated as affordable housing, fulfilling Somerset Council’s requirement for at least 30% affordable dwellings on new developments within the former Mendip area. Alongside housing, the plans include a new community hub and allotments close to the rugby club, complemented by significant orchard planting.
A substantial portion of the northern site will be dedicated to a country park and community woodland, creating a green buffer of around 24 hectares between the housing area and the neighboring Oldford community. The development prioritizes pedestrian and cycling connectivity as well, with multiple links integrated throughout the site to facilitate travel to Frome town centre and Commerce Park. These features align with Frome’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), published in March 2023.
Representatives from Stantec, the planning consultants for Barwood Land, emphasized that the project aims to establish a sustainable, accessible, and attractive neighbourhood that respects the local landscape while enriching the community. “This development supports Frome’s growth with benefits including affordable homes, new community spaces, and enhanced green infrastructure,” they stated.
Somerset Council is expected to decide on the proposals by this summer. Due to the development’s scale and significance, the decision will likely be made in public by the council’s planning committee east, which handles large applications in the former Mendip area, rather than by delegated officers.