Planning news in and around Frome this week.

Thornlea on Highbury Street in Coleford has applied to build a single storey side extension either side of the property.

Details on the Mendip planning site under Ref. No: 2022/1528/HSE

Plans have been submitted to carry out work to Kilver Court, on the edge of Shepton Mallet, with the hope of making it a prime shopping destination once again.

The designer shopping outlet closed the doors to all but a handful of stores (Mulbery, Yves Delorme and Toast) in September last year, and it was announced that Mulberry founder Roger Saul had sold up, and it was later revealed that the Showering family had bought back their ancestral home.

A statement at the time said: "Kilver Court in Shepton Mallet, the ancestral family home to the Showering family, the founders of the Brothers Drinks Co, will be transformed into an interactive culture destination for locals and tourists in the area following its recent acquisition.

"The business has already begun planning around the site with hopes to open next year. The plans submitted to Mendip are asking for permission to change doors and windows, and remove a staircase, so that instead of the department-shop style store that operated before, there can be individual retail units.

In case you missed it - the Local Democracy Reporter - Daniel Mumby - has posted that dozens of new homes could be built on the western edge of Midsomer Norton if new plans are approved by district councillors.

Curo Enterprise Ltd. staged a public consultation in March and April over plans for a new development of up to 58 homes on the Underhill Farm site in Midsomer Norton.

The Bath-based developer has now submitted formal plans to Mendip District Council, which involve the demolition of two of its existing properties on Orchard Vale to make room for the access road.

The council is expected to make a decision on the proposals before the end of the year.

The site lies between Underhill Lane and the existing homes on Orchard Vale, a short distance from the Underhill Wood local wildlife reserve.

To prevent the woodland from being damaged, 26 and 28 Orchard Vale (which are managed by Curo) will be demolished to create an access road, and will be replaced within the site – providing a total of 60 homes ranging from two- to four-bedroom in size.

Of these 60 homes, 19 will be affordable homes, with the majority of these being social rent – comfortably exceeding the council's target for 30 per cent affordable homes for any new development of ten homes or more.

A spokesman for Barton Willmore (representing the applicant) said: "The site is located in an advantageous position, affording it access to a range of travel choices including foot, cycle, bus and vehicular options around the vicinity of the site.

"Although there are no public rights of way within the site, there are alternatives which allow pedestrians low traffic movements to local amenities and facilities.

"Midsomer Norton offers a broad number of shops, food outlets and healthcare locations throughout the towns centre.

"Recreational facilities including Welton Rover Football Club, Dragonfly Leisure Centre and a vast range of sports amenities are also located in vicinity of the site."

While Midsomer Norton lies within the remit of Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES), the site is one of three allocated within Mendip's Local Plan Part II to deliver new housing on the edge of the town.

The council's planning board voted unanimously in July to approve plans for 270 homes near the White Post Inn on the A367 Green Park Road, with councillors describing the plans as "very promising" and praising the "fantastic green buffer" around the new homes.

This development will connect up with both the existing homes to the north and a development of 75 homes immediately to the south, which was approved by the Planning Inspectorate in February.

The third Local Plan Part II site, on the eastern side of the A367, could end up being developed by Persimmon Homes Wessex if plans for 190 homes are approved in the coming months.

The council is expected to make a decision on the Underhill Farm proposals before the end of the year – though it is not yet clear whether the plans will come before the planning board for public discussion.

Curo is shortly to begin construction on the Keyford Meadows site on Sandys Hill Lane in Frome, after plans for 198 new homes were approved by the planning board in February.

Planning applications decided by Mendip this week include:

An extract from the application made for five homes close to Marston Lane in Frome

Planners have refused an application for outline planning for five new self-builds on land adjacent to Whitemill on Marston Lane in Frome. Frome Town Council had objected to the plans and Frome Civic Society had encouraged the planning board to refuse the application in part because of the sensitive skyline at the site. Another reason given for refusal was that " Inadequate information has been submitted to justify that the means of access as proposed can be provided in a safe manner with the necessary forward visibility at the junction with the adopted highway on Marston Lane. "

Planners have approved a single storey and a side extension at 19 Styles Hill in Frome. They also approved the building of an annexe at the address, following the demolition of existing outbuildings.

Cutting back a Beech tree and a Lime tree at Beckington House at 36 Frome Road in Beckington can go ahead.

Approved, the creation of new access and turning area at Prospect Cottage on the Top Lane in Mells.

A single storey extension at 8 Eastleigh Close in Frome has been approved.

Also approved, a single-storey rear extension at 4 South View on Hoares Lane in Babington.

Approved a new office at the existing Frome showground plus parking at West Woodlands on Bunns Lane in Witham Friary.