Original article, March 2019:

An outline planning application has been submitted by Mark Lilley (Lilley’s Cider) for a ‘Cider Production Facility, Farm Shop/Cafe, Sheep Barn and 2 x Eco Houses’ at land off Cuckoo Lane, Frome, BA11 2NT. The planning application (reference 2019/0416/OTS) can be found here.

The application is supported by a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, a Flood Risk Assessment, Transport Assessment, Design & Access Statement, Bat Survey Report, Noise Impact Assessment, a proposed layout, an indicative site layout, and illustrative access options – all found here.

I met the Lilleys last year when their plans were first announced to discuss their plans. There was a residents’ open day on site about the emerging proposals last summer. I understand many residents were and are supportive of the orchard and other aspects, but a number of you raised concerns about the potential impacts of the houses and factory.

To respond, you can log in and respond online here, or by email Consultations@mendip.gov.uk (quoting the application number) or in other ways – please see here. Please respond by 25th April.

The application crosses three council wards – the southernmost field is in Frome College, the rest is split between Frome Market and Beckington & Selwood wards. I and the other ward councillors have until 25th April to request that the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Board allow the application to be determined by the Planning Board rather than officers under delegated powers.

I will be looking into the application in the next few days/weeks in detail. Please also let me know your thoughts at cllr.boyden@mendip.gov.uk.

Update 1, July 2019:

The revised plans for the Lilley’s Cider factory submitted in June are online (see here), with revisions including the removal of the proposed eco-houses and a reduction in the size of the factory (see here), with revised reports on planning, transport, flood risks and landscape and visual impacts. The public consultation on the revised plans has a deadline of 23rd July, so please have your say before then here. There are 142 responses so far, 35 in favour, 106 objecting. I have already asked the MDC planning team to refer this to the Planning Board for a decision, as have other councillors. The application is likely to be decided this autumn.

Update 2, January 2020:

The planning application for a new cider factory off Cuckoo Lane could be withdrawn, as the applicants are looking at an alternative site. The application has had 137 objections (including on access and highway safety, visual impact, noise, odour and the character of the area) and 36 supportive comments. In December, Lilleys submitted a planning application (ref. 2019/2906/FUL) for the change of use of the former Wessex Incineration site at Bunns Lane, near Witham Friary, to general industrial (B2) and ancillary shop use (A1) (see here). The new application was validated by Mendip’s planning team on 20th January and could be determined by the end of April. A Mendip District Council source has stated that if the new site works out, the application at Cuckoo Lane is likely to be withdrawn (see here).

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