Packsaddle Fields, a distinctive green space on the northern edge of Frome, has been preserved from housing development after a public inquiry ruled in favor of maintaining the land’s current use.
The field, publicly owned since 1973 and initially intended for a new school, was proposed for sale by Somerset County Council in March 2022. Housing association LiveWest submitted plans in March 2023 to build 74 homes and a children’s home on the site.
However, Somerset Council’s Planning Committee East, responsible for major applications in the former Mendip area, rejected the proposal on January 7, siding with local residents eager to protect the landscape. LiveWest appealed this decision, which culminated in a public inquiry in Shepton Mallet in mid-August.
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The Planning Inspectorate has now dismissed LiveWest’s appeal, emphasizing that the proposed development would result in a “substantial and harmful” loss of green space, negatively affecting local residents’ well-being.
Notably, only 22% of the planned homes (16 properties) would have been affordable—significantly below the council’s 30% target for new developments of this size. LiveWest had also pledged nearly £157,000 for local school places and over £248,000 for road upgrades.
Planning Inspector Michael Chalk visited Packsaddle Fields on August 14 and published his final ruling on September 29. He noted that the development could not replace the existing open space, and the loss of so-called “passive” access would significantly harm the community.
Describing the site as neither fully urban nor countryside, Mr. Chalk highlighted testimonies from residents who value Packsaddle Fields as a peaceful, natural space for exercise, social connections, and nature experiences. The site is a safe, well-used area frequented by people of all ages.
Although some parts of the field are overgrown and impassable, the inspector acknowledged potential benefits from improving footpaths but maintained that the overall reduction of open space was unacceptable. He argued that the proposed homes would drastically reduce the openness central to the site’s character, as well as limit benefits like the planned community orchard.
Mr. Chalk also found the proposal would cause moderate harm to the area’s semi-rural character. While acknowledging the urgent local need for more affordable housing due to a long-standing shortage, he concluded that the recreational and social value of Packsaddle Fields outweighs the benefits of new development in this case.
People for Packsaddle, the local pressure group that opposed the plans, welcomed the decision on Facebook, expressing profound gratitude and joy. They declared, “As you can imagine, we are over the moon.”