In planning news in and around Frome.

An application has been put in to Mendip planners for approval of details reserved by conditions 12 (Construction Environmental Management Plan) on planning consent 2021/2437/VRC ; this is for the development of land adjacent to The Retreat in Frome. There has been a concerted campaign against this development which opponents claim will result in the loss of a river side path. Within the environmental plan offered in this application it is stated : "The river will be protected in part by the physical separation of the site from the riverbank (approximately 32 m). Additional protection will be provided via good construction practice to prevent the release of pollutants or topsoil into the water." Other details including protecting local wildlife, including badgers and how the dust of any development works will be minimised.

The primary contractor for construction works will be appointed by the current landowner, Family Sutton Solutions Ltd.

A planning application has been put in to Mendip to convert two floors at 19-21 King Street in Frome into four new dwellings. Details under reference, Ref. No: 2022/0031/FUL.

An application is in for approval of details reserved by conditions 17 (Development Exclusion Zone - Fencing), 27 (Site Works - Fencing) on planning consent 2017/1060/FUL at Valley House Lower Works in Mells.

Ref. No: 2022/0072/APP . There is an application for a non -material amendment to permission 2020/1187/HSE ( that is for the demolition of single storey conservatory and two storey rear annexes and to replace them with new extensions ) at Oldford Hill House on Cuckoo Lane in Frome. Ref. No: 2022/0025/NMA Frome Nub News went over to the former Carphone Warehouse site up at Wessex Fields on January 19, to check on whether any work has started on turning it into a Greggs. The company already has planning consent for the change of use, but also planning consent for its application to make changes to the flow of the car park.

As of today (January 19) no sign of any works starting, so lovers of the Greggs sausage roll, will have to be a little more patient.

An application is in to reduce the height of a Silver Birch at 10 St Michaels Close in Buckland Dinham. Details under Ref. No: 2022/0090/TCA.

Meantime Frome Town Council has released details of very early plans to acquire some of Mendip's property in Frome. The council has agree to enter negotiations with the District Council, which will be disbanded in April 2023 to take over some of the property and space it owns in the town.

The spaces range from very small roadside verges to relatively large spaces like the land at Easthill and Brunel Way. The Frome Town Council meeting on January 19 heard that they could possibly also take over ownership of the Cheese & Grain, if they could get favourable terms.

The list of addresses shown to councillors were

Land At Tower View

Land at Packsaddle

Land at Chapmans Close

Land at Egford Lane

Frome Councillors heard: " We can look after these places better."

Planning decisions made by Mendip include:

Approved : An application to reduce the height of a Birch tree and an Apple tree, at 7 Langham Place in Rode.

Also approved, also in Rode, an application to build a single storey ground floor extension with roof terrace at Monkley House on Monkley Lane.

Approved the building of a 1.8 metre fence and 1.8m gates at Glendowan on Railford Hill in Chantry.

Also approved and also in Chantry, the conversion and extension of two existing redundant buildings into a new dwelling at Yew Tree Farm on the Old Wells Road.