Plans to build up to 35 new homes behind the Starbucks and Travelodge at a busy Somerset services are moving forward after receiving approval from Somerset Council. The London-based OG Group submitted an outline application in February 2025 to construct the homes off Trowbridge Road in the village of Beckington, near Frome.
Despite opposition from local residents concerned about increased traffic and the capacity of the village’s sewerage system, the council’s planning committee east granted approval in December 2025. Following months of negotiation, the legal agreements between the council and the developer have now been finalized, allowing detailed proposals for the site to proceed.
The development site is situated just south of Beckington Services, bordered by the busy A36 road connecting Frome and Bath. Access to the new homes will be via Trowbridge Road, with a spine road running behind the Travelodge. The homes will be located immediately south of the Starbucks café within the services complex. Additionally, a pedestrian and cycling route will connect the southern end of the site to Goose Street, providing easy access to the local GP surgery and other amenities.
READ MORE: Somerset MPs Call for Increased Funding to Support Rural Pharmacies
READ MORE: 100 New Homes Near M5 in Somerset to Fund £3.2m for Local Services
Among the 35 homes planned, 11 will be designated as affordable housing, in line with the council’s target of 30% for developments of this size in the former Mendip area. Under the Section 106 agreement, the developer will contribute nearly £44,000 towards improvements at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, over £22,000 to expand the Beckington Family Practice, almost £92,000 for early years provision in the village, and nearly £16,000 for a nearby multi-use games area (MUGA).
Funds totaling nearly £58,000 will also be allocated for upgrades to the Beckington and White Row roundabouts. These enhancements align with wider infrastructure improvements linked to the recently approved Selwood Garden Community, a major development project delivering 1,700 new homes in Frome.
Local farmer Clive Winterbourne expressed concerns about the impact of the new development on Beckington’s roads. He warned that the additional junction created by the proposal would exacerbate traffic complexities, citing frequent near-misses in the area. Winterbourne highlighted the heavy use of the local roads, particularly noting the BP petrol station’s location on the busy A36, one of only two service stations between Bath and Salisbury.
A reserved matters application, which will detail the design and layout of the homes, is expected to be submitted by the end of the year. Meanwhile, a public inquiry regarding a separate application to build 20 homes on an adjacent field at Great Dunns Close has been delayed due to the Planning Inspectorate’s scheduling.
Finally, the council is poised to decide soon on plans for new drive-thru units, a petrol station, and an electric vehicle charging hub near White Row Farm Shop at Beckington’s southern edge.