In summer 2013, Radstock Co-operative Society submitted a planning application to demolish the former Fromefield Surgery, and to build a new convenience supermarket. The planning application was withdrawn for several months, as more information was requested by Mendip’s planners, and the developer reviewed the design. I met with the agent and asked them to consult locally on the new design options.

Earlier in January, the planning application was resubmitted and validated, and is now ‘live’ for comment as planning application reference no. 2013/1514. All documents are now available here to view and comment on:

http://publicaccess.mendip.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=dates&keyVal=ZZZZOYKPXU221

The public consultation period lasts until Monday 20th February (now confirmed by the case officer), so any letters and online comments need to be made by then.  People living next to or opposite the site will have had official letters from Mendip District Council to inform them of the consultation. After 20th Feb, the Mendip case officer will determine the application under delegated powers unless there are substantial objections (and a ward councillor refers it to the Planning Board (and the Chair and Vice-chair agree, which is not always the case)).

As one of the ward councillors, I will therefore be looking at the impacts on neighbours, traffic safety, and the impact on the Conservation Area, as well as the benefits. Please also let me know any comments you may have as well.

Frome Town Council’s Planning Sub-Committee will discuss this application and make a recommendation, at its next meeting on Thursday 13th Feb, 6pm at the Palmer Street office – see http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk/events/index/view/eventI:D/8362/categoryID/0/

Importantly, if you wrote in with comments on the previous application for Conservation Area Consent to demolish the building, you will need to write in again, as it is a separate application and the CAC application has been withdrawn as it is now unnecessary (due to changes in the law).

Comments I have seen, online (see here) and by email or letter, so far include:

• Mendip DC Heritage Conservation Section (see online comments): supportive in principle, as strong/bold building design outweighs impact of loss of a ‘positive’ building in the Conservation Area, although requests photomontages to see how it looks, and has concerns about boundary treatments;

• Local residents:

1. Some question need for another convenience store so close to McColls and when Tesco (Stonebridge) is not very far.
2. Others welcome a new local store.
3. Concerns about the demolition of building and new building not in character with the neighbouring listed buildings, in a Conservation Area.
4. Concerns about the intensification of use near such a busy junction, and for potential road accidents between vehicles and pedestrians, with a zebra crossing, used by school children, and near bus stops, and the need for a road safety assessment, and safer pedestrian access, to be provided.
5. Concerns about lack of assessment of the safety of the proposals for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users who would visit the store, that the traffic survey was not undertaken in the peak morning rush-hour, the traffic assessment overstates the likely previous traffic using the surgery (and therefore understates the likely increase in comparison), and that no improvements to pedestrian crossings or junction safety are proposed at all.
6. Concerns about a lack of space for sufficient parking, including staff parking, and the loss of spaces when HGV deliveries are made daily.
7. Concerns about noise from refridgerated vehicles and reversing alarms (or safety if turned off) adjacent to residential properties.

I will aim to ensure that these concerns are answered and addressed in the planning decision. Please see full previous article here.