Original article (also see update below): I was recently made aware that standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of people with a complex or profound disability who need extra facilities to allow them to use a toilet with dignity. This includes people with physical and learning difficulties, spinal injuries, and people living with […]

The new Co-op convenience store at Fromefield is nearing completion and is planning to open on Wednesday 2nd December at 9am. The store has been fitted out to a high specification, with energy efficient and eco-friendly equipment and systems ‘installed where possible’. The store will include ‘an in-store bakery, coffee machine, hot and cold ‘food […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

Earlier this year Radstock Co-operative Society submitted a planning application to demolish the former Fromefield Surgery, and to build a new convenience supermarket. The planning application is still not yet valid, as more information was requested by Mendip’s planners, and the developer is reviewing the design. I have asked the agent to consult locally on the new […]

Reasons to be cheerful… it’s soon #Frome SuperMarket, Artisan, Flea, Farmers & Peoples markets, Sunday 3rd Nov: http://www.fromesupermarket.co.uk/ What do you want to see happen in #Frome? Public consultation begins today on the draft Frome Neighbourhood Plan: http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan/ ‘Participate #Frome‘ week, to encourage all to have their say and get involved in projects across Frome: http://www.frome-tc.gov.uk/participate-frome/ […]

Radstock Co-operative Society has submitted a planning application to demolish the former Fromefield Surgery building, at the junction of Bath Road and Rodden Road, and to build a new convenience supermarket on the site. See the article in the Frome Standard here – http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/operative-store-planned-doctors-surgery-site/story-19593332-detail/story.html As one of the ward councillors for the Fromefield area on Mendip District Council, […]

Earlier this week, Mendip District Council apparently changed its policy on treating car parks affected by ice and snow in the district, after snow and icy conditions persisted after Friday’s snow fall.  I believe this was in response to the pressure and complaints from residents and shoppers, local councillors (including Lib Dem cllrs Tanswell and […]

Public consultation responses received after the first of the Frome Super-Markets on Sunday 1st July, indicate that the day was a big success – see http://www.mendip.gov.uk/NewsArticle.asp?id=SX9452-A783C471 But how was it for you? You can still have your say via the survey linked here –  http://www.mendip.gov.uk/Article.asp?id=SX9452-A783BFC0&cat=91 or call the Markets team on 01749 648999. The next two Frome […]

On Monday 2nd April 2012, Mendip District Council’s Cabinet endorsed a revised plan to improve Frome’s twice-weekly market, which Lib Dems in Frome and Mendip welcome as we have worked on the proposals with Mendip’s Conservative-run and Frome’s independent-run councils.  See here for Cabinet agenda reports: http://www.mendip.gov.uk/CommitteeMeeting.asp?id=SX9452-A78369E7&cat=1 My statement to the Cabinet meeting is below: […]

I think this is great news for Frome – we have the impetus for a partnership of district and town council, and for local investment in the market, to expand the market to make Frome town centre an even better place to shop and visit. We now have a period ahead in which the councils […]

… On Monday night 30 January, Mendip’s Cabinet were therefore presented with an ‘Updating’ paper which asked for a different decision, and which stated: “The relocation of the existing stall market to the Market Place is one of the principal options of the development project; however, alternative solutions and alternative locations will be given full […]

Frome’s Charter Market has been chosen to boost the town’s retail economy. In October last year, Mendip District and Frome Town Councillor Adrian Dobinson (Lib Dem, Berkley Down) announced the proposal at a full Frome Town Council meeting.  Frome Town Council’s Leader also backed the idea and has pledged financial support to the scheme. In […]

Extract of Frome Times, Issue 345, 2nd February 2012: “MENDIP District Council has halted plans to relocate Frome Market into the Market Place, following heavy criticism over a lack of consultation. The council planned to move the market on Saturdays, closing the town centre to traffic, for a trial period of three months. But the […]