A campaign is underway to stop 150 homes being built on land the other side of Marston Lane in Frome.

An application went in March for development of land across from Marston Lane. Ref 2022/0616/OUT and locals have already submitted a long list of objections.

Frome Town Council has made its feelings clear, with a submission on May 5, stating that the development is " Not economically sustainable, offering little infrastructure that does not support the growth and innovation of the town or provide any local employment opportunities. It is not environmentally sustainable, the proposal does not protect or enhancement the natural or built environment. The proposals will involve the destruction of a large area rich in wildlife including several protected species. Replacing it with a small area of allotments and replacing it with new habitat does not outweigh the damage. We realise that an outline application is the obvious choice for the applicant, however it is not possible to accurately assess the impact of this development on biodiversity and ecology, a full application should be submitted. Local services such as schools, sports facilities, the train station, and local health care are not easily accessible from this site. "

Frome Civic Society also objects saying that while there is a " Need in Frome only for genuinely affordable homes. Approving this application in the absence of any supporting local plan will represent over-development of market housing, resulting in dormitory settlements where most residents will work elsewhere, and house price levels will be driven far higher than local people can afford."

They conclude that any benefit of the development, planned by Fleet-based Gleeson Strategic Land, which originally was going to build 180 homes, will be outweighed by harm.

One of the 80 objections to the plans, points out that 150 homes will mean a minimum of 200 extra vehicles accessing the estate, which is opposite the mini roundabout to Sainsbury's, many times throughout the day for work, school runs and shopping trips.

The proposal is for : " Outline planning application (with all matters reserved except for access) for the demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of up to 150 residential dwellings including affordable housing with the provision of vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian access onto Marston Lane alongside public open spaces, community space, children's play, sustainable urban drainage systems, hard and soft landscaping, infrastructure and earthworks. "

Mendip District Council is expected to make a decision by the summer.