Frome Town Council has been warned that even though it opposes the way unused offices are being turned into cramped and were referred to as 'rabbit hutch like' flats, it may not have any power to influence the plans.

The offices on Vallis Way are earmarked as 31 flats (from an original number of 22) and the planning group on the council, who have voted to object, may not have any power over the decision.

The Town Council meeting on August 26 was told would depend on when the application was considered to have been formally put in. If it was one side of the technical deadline, it would be considered as a " permitted development" so that changing use from offices into apartments would mean it meets criteria of prior approval needed only. So the number of apartments and a lack of any outdoor space, could not be influenced.

Cllr Lizzie Boyle told the hybrid meeting that as a council they were all for smaller places for people in Frome to live in. But she said: " Small flats, yes please, but not rabbit hutch type living spaces. The developers seem to be just trying to cram more flats into this building."

Cllr Mark Dorrington pointed out that the offices currently have only 15 parking spaces, so if there were 31 flats, cars would be parked on all the adjacent roads, where there is already a shortage of spaces.

" A smaller property is not an issue, " he told the meeting, " We support smaller homes, but there is also no outdoor space ( in this application) and we know that is important for people's mental health."

The building, which was previously a tax office, would be subdivided into flats, but without additional communal spaces, and, depending on when the application was deemed to have been put in, would contravene new rules about how much living space was needed per person.

The plans are for two person living space, and as the plans stand, that contravenes current building space standards, which have recently been increased.

advertisement

Frome Town Council planning voted unanimously to object to the application on the formal grounds that the Vallis House development was too cramped, there was not enough parking and there was a lack of communal and outdoor space.

The objection will now pass onto Mendip and a check on when the application is deemed will have to be ratified.