This is Curo's take on the decision last week of Mendip.

West of England housing association and housebuilder Curo has been granted detailed planning permission by Mendip District Council to build 198 new homes on land at Sandys Hill Lane in Frome.

The decision was made at the Council's Planning Board meeting on Wednesday 16 February and is subject to a revised landscaping plan being approved by Mendip District Council officers.

The development, which will be known as Keyford Meadows, will deliver 139 homes for sale, 47 homes for social rent and 12 homes for Shared Ownership, the affordable homeownership scheme. Homes will range from 1-bedroom apartments to 5-bedroom family houses, in response to the local demand for housing.

Over the past few months, Curo has worked with Mendip officers, local councillors and other stakeholders to refine their detailed proposals, first submitted in July 2021. A series of changes were made as a result of feedback from local community representatives and the Council and the revised proposals were put forward in November last year.

Curo's plans will see the new homes' CO2 emissions reduced by 41% compared to current Building Regulations, and by 10% compared to emerging standards. To achieve this, all of the homes equipped with gas boilers will also be fitted with photovoltaic solar panels which will provide greener electricity. Many of the new homes will feature highly efficient air source heat pumps instead of gas boilers, while the affordable homes will also have photovoltaic solar panels.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: "We're pleased that Mendip District Council has approved our application for these much-needed new homes in Frome. We will continue to work with the planning officers to further refine our landscaping proposals for the development. We look forward to starting works on site soon to deliver homes that are beautiful, energy-efficient and sustainable, including the full 30% affordable homes requirement which will be managed by Curo.

"The development will give local people and families more opportunities to stay in an area they're connected to through family, school and work. Our social homes will help many families on the Council's housing list to live in high-quality, affordable homes while Shared Ownership will enable young first-time buyers to take a first step on the property ladder."

Aside from homes, the development will also provide more than 2 hectares of wildlife habitat and green open space, including two play areas.

The Keyford Farmhouse and converted barn, which were previously earmarked for demolition through the outline planning permission, will be retained and incorporated in the new residential development, as desired by the local community.

Curo will start works on site at Keyford Meadows this summer, while housebuilding will begin in winter. The first new homes will be ready to move into by summer 2023, while the development is expected to be completed by autumn 2026.