The developer of the 7 new houses under construction at the old Mendip Lodge Hotel on Bath Road has resubmitted revised plans for a pedestrian island across Bath Road, to respond to Somerset Highways’ comments on the previous version. Details are required to satisfy a planning condition requirement for a ‘pedestrian crossing’ before the houses are occupied.
A year ago I met the developer’s agent and their transport consultant, and Mendip’s case office at the time, and we agreed a way forward – please see here. The new application and details can be viewed here. Please let me know any comments you have, and / or send them to consultation.responses@mendip.gov.uk quoting the planning reference number 2018/1113/APP (Application for the approval of details reserverd by conditions 7 (estate roads) and 8 (off-site crossing) of planning permission 2018/0092/VRC | Former Mendip Lodge Hotel Bath Road Frome BA11 2HP).
My response to the application is below:
‘As one of the ward councillors I wish to comment on the application for approval of details reserved by condition 8 (off-site crossing) for the development of 7 new houses at the former Mendip Lodge Hotel site, Bath Road, Frome.
I and local residents objected to the original version of the proposed ‘crossing’ (in application 2017/0992/APP), as it did not constitute a pedestrian crossing, only dropped kerbs. A new pedestrian crossing is important here for residents of the new houses in the village de sac (as well as existing residents and Frome Community College pupils who use the bus) to have safe non- vehicular access to the outside world, which is why this is an important part of Mendip District Council’s Local Plan policy for the design of new developments. My call for a signalled pedestrian crossing here was not supported by Somerset County Council Highways or the county councillor. However a meeting was held with the developer’s agents and transport consultants, and a compromise was reached.
The later version of that application was an improvement, due to the inclusion of a pedestrian island. That drew comments and requests for amendments from Somerset Highways in relation to pedestrian and highway safety concerns for pedestrians using the island and potential parking in the new layby.
This new application appears to address Highways’ previous comments, as the layby is proposed to be filled in to expand the pavement, and the island has been moved further away from the junction.
I also approve of the proposed resurfacing of the access road into Thomas Bunn Lane. Existing residents have been asking for this for some time.
I hope that Somerset Highways comments can be obtained, and that the scheme can be approved and implemented before the new houses are occupied as that is required under the planning condition.
This scheme may also act to slow speeding traffic into Frome, which is a reported issue, but it is apparent that the opportunity for a coordinated traffic calming scheme here is being missed by SCC as the initial idea for traffic calming (in a Small Improvement Scheme initiated by the county councillor in autumn 2017) does not appear to have been progressed. I hope that can be addressed.
cllr Adam Boyden, 13 June 2018.’
[…] had to be found. A few months ago it was agreed that a ‘pedestrian island’ scheme (see here) will be built before the 5th new house is occupied (see […]
[…] for a new pedestrian crossing at the old Mendip Lodge Hotel site, for new residents and existing residents to be able to cross Bath Road more safely, […]