Tesco Express in Stonebridge should reopen in December as a larger store and 4 flats (‘Acacia View’) above. I successfully argued for improvements to the planning application (2014/0970/FUL) to improve the design and lighting, and ensure no overall loss of parking spaces or trees, which will be replanted. New plans have been recently submitted for […]

Newsletter 25th June 2015 Please see below for news about: news about the development at Stonebridge (Forest Road shops) Fusion’s take over of Frome Leisure Centre Tim Farron Bus cuts Old Showfield Welshmill Park Missing Link fundraising Stonebridge development update: Planning permission was granted by Mendip District Council in January for the expansion of the […]

Earlier in June, together with county councillor Linda Oliver and town councillor Nick White, I met the site managers of the new development of the shops and flats development on Forest Road, Stonebridge to get a briefing about the construction project and ask questions. Planning permission was granted by Mendip District Council in January for […]

Over the last four years there have been several major planning applications which I have got stuck into to help local residents get better development in this area. These include: Stonebridge shops and flats: Permission was granted by Mendip in January for the expansion of the shops at Forest Road, and for 3 new flats […]

Selwood Academy propose new 3G pitch Selwood Academy, on Berkley Road, has recently submitted a planning application for the ‘Construction of 3G Artificial Turf Pitch with associated flood lighting ( 8 x 15m columns) and tutor room/changing room, 4m fence around goal areas, 3m fence around all other sides.’ (planning application 2014/0521/FUL). Please see here […]

February 2015: I have just been informed that Latona Leisure have submitted an Appeal against Mendip District Council’s refusal of permission for the development of the rest of the Bath Road Heights site for 8 new 4 and 5 bedroom detached homes (ref 2014/0981/FUL) on Bath Road at the northern edge of Frome. I commented […]

Update, May 2015 The development of the Stonebridge shops expansion with flats above (ref. 2014/0970) received planning permission in January. I successfully argued for some improvements to the plans, to avoid a loss of car parking spaces, include more tree planting, and improve the design. The trees which were cut down in April will be […]

The next Full Council meeting of Mendip District Council is this Thursday 2nd October at the newly rebuilt Council Chamber in Shepton Mallet – see here for the agenda which includes agreeing the members of the reduced 15-member Planning Board, new rules for allowing members of the public to record council meetings, a treasury management […]

Update, September 2014: Revised plans for the extension to the shops, and construction of new flats above them, at Forest Road, Stonebridge, Frome, have been submitted to Mendip District Council. Consultation on the revised plans has begun and you have until 13th October 2014 to comment. See also the Frome Standard article this week. A […]

Stonebridge Tesco/shops extension and housing: Plans have been submitted to Mendip District Council for the extension to the Tesco Express store and the pharmacy at Forest Road, Stonebridge, the creation of an additional smaller shop unit, and 4 residential flats above, with an extension and amendments to the existing car park. This news is also […]

Mendip District Council has granted planning permission for the revised plans for a Co-op convenience store at Fromefield, which will demolish the former surgery building on the corner with Rodden Road/Bath Road, after the planning officer recommended approval and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Board waived it through, despite local objections. I […]

I am keeping an eye on local planning matters in the area. Co-op at Fromefield: Revised plans for the proposed Co-op convenience store (ref 2013/1514) have been submitted which the developer hopes will overcome local objections on design and road safety. Please see here for the revised plans, which were consulted on up to mid-May. […]

I have just received the following from Mendip District Council’s Planning Team Manager, about the proposed change to how planning applications are handled. “As you may be aware, the Council’s Planning Board resolved in 2005/06 that all planning applications for development at Commerce Park should be determined by the Board (as opposed to officer delegation).Given […]

I am keeping an eye on local planning matters in the area. Mendip’s Local Plan has been examined by an inspector, who will report back soon on whether it is accepted. Co-op at Fromefield: Revised plans for the proposed Co-op convenience store (ref 2013/1514) have been submitted which the developer hopes will overcome local objections […]

Public meeting on flytipping: I am working with another local councillor to arrange a public meeting in the near future, to allow local residents to ask questions, raise concerns and hear from Mendip District Council, the Police and other authorities, about how the community and authorities can work together to tackle the horrendous flytipping on […]

Packsaddle Community Tea Party I have been very pleased to help the Packsaddle Community Group organise the community tea party and consultation event at St Mary’s Hall on Saturday 15th March, by agreeing to help fund the event, and other community activities, out of my councillor allocation of Mendip District Council’s Community Environment Fund (part […]

Earlier this month, the planning application for 14 houses at ‘Bath Road Heights’, phase 2 of the redevelopment of the former Mendip Lodge Hotel site, opposite Frome Community College, were withdrawn by Latona Leisure. The planning application submitted to Mendip District Council last autumn was for 14 new 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses on […]

An outline planning application has been submitted to Mendip District Council for the development of 107 new houses in a field on Cuckoo Hill, between Packsaddle Way, Innox Hill and Spring Gardens, and close to the River Frome downstream of the town. The submitted plans, reports and consultation comments, can all be found on Mendip […]

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 […]

An outline planning application has been submitted to Mendip District Council by Frontier Estates for mixed uses (including a supermarket, other retail units, restaurants, offices/studios, a hotel, space for a relocated FETE education centre, car parking and open space; ref no. 2013/2260/OTS) at the mainly derelict site between Saxonvale and Garsdale, on land owned by […]