Frome is on the cusp of a pivotal decision as a public inquiry begins on August 5 into the proposed Selwood Garden Community (SGC), a development that could bring 1,700 new homes to the town’s southern agricultural lands. The plan includes not only housing but also commercial spaces, two care homes, a primary school, a local centre with shops and possibly a medical facility, along with public open spaces and sports amenities.
The development site lies between the B3090 Marston Lane and the A361. Of the homes planned, 30%—approximately 510 units—will be affordable housing, featuring a mix of social rented, shared ownership, and other low-cost options. Infrastructure improvements, particularly to the Beckington and White Post roundabouts which connect the site to Bath, Trowbridge, and nearby villages, are also included in the proposals.
Somerset Council had initially indicated a strong opposition to the scheme, describing itself as “minded to refuse” the application in December 2024. However, just before a formal decision in February, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government stepped in, calling in the application and appointing Planning Inspector Steve Normington to oversee the inquiry. The government is expected to deliver a final decision before Christmas.
While the Mendip Local Plan Part II allocated only a small portion of the site for housing, shifting national housing targets and ongoing regulatory challenges have weakened the plan’s legal weight in the eyes of the inspector. Somerset Council has adopted a neutral position for the inquiry, choosing not to oppose the plan directly but to challenge aspects of the financial contributions for local infrastructure. Frome Town Council is largely supportive after extensive negotiations with the consortium behind SGC.
Not all local voices are in favor. Selwood Parish Council has raised safety concerns due to increased traffic on the already accident-prone A361 Frome bypass, noting recent fatal and serious crashes. The council fears an influx of an estimated 5,800 additional vehicles from the new development will exacerbate these dangers.
Environmental and community groups have also voiced objections. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) warns of a lack of cohesive design in the segmented development approach proposed by various independent developers, risking Frome’s rural character. The Friends of the River Frome express concerns over inadequate sewage and flood risk management, urging more natural flood mitigation methods that safeguard the river corridor.
Councillor Helen Kay highlights the importance of accompanying employment opportunities to prevent increased commuting from Frome. Currently, 60% of the town’s workforce travels elsewhere for jobs, an unsustainable trend that the local plan aims to reverse with strategically targeted business space.
The inquiry will run for five days starting August 5, culminating in a site visit on August 12. Inspector Normington’s report is expected by late September, with Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner then taking up to six months for the final verdict on the development’s fate.