Planning news in and around Frome this week:

The homeowners of 8 Magnolia Close in Frome have put in an application to build a single storey rear extension

Ref. No: 2022/0326/CLP. Planners have approved the application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (surface water drainage system), on planning consent 2020/0926/FUL which is for work at the Cotton Works on Vallis Road in Frome Ref. No: 2022/0415/APP. The Cotton Works is where the Frome climbing and bouldering centre is proving really popular. This particular application is for additional parking. Planners in Mendip have refused an application to determine prior approval to build a single storey agricultural building at Highchurch Farm on Chickwell Lane in Hemington. And you have two more days to comment on plans for the former Settle Restaurant at Cheap Street in Frome. Over the years number 16 was previously the Albion Inn and then the Flora Café. But within the application ( 2022/0234/FUL ) there is a fascinating list of all the people, at least recorded, who have lived and had a trade at the address: They include: 1861 Alfred Butcher Blacksmith & Victualler

1871 Alfred Coombs who was a house painter.

1881 Samuel Lusty Shoemaker & Innkeeper

1889 James Ruddock who gave his profession as a Beer Retailer.

And one to watch out for.

In case you missed it the land close to the Lamb and Fountain pub in Frome was sold at online auction on Wednesday 15th December 2021. The freehold parcel ( 0.05 Hectares ) adjacent to 50 Castle Street was billed as development potential subject to consents.

Finally Somerset Council which has committed to building ten new children's homes has welcomed the decision which will see young people with special needs living near the Mendip Hills cared for locally after plans were approved by district councils.

This from the Local Democracy Reporter

Bromsgrove resident Matt Wilkinson applied for permission to convert Burwell House in Badgworth, near Cheddar, into a children's home, providing specialist accommodation for those in need Sedgemoor District Council's development committee gave its backing to the plans when it convened in Bridgwater on Tuesday morning (March 8), with the conversion likely to be completed by the end of the year. This comes less than 12 months after Somerset County Council announced its intention to invest in up to ten new children's homes across the county by 2026, ensuring young people get the best possible start in life. Burwell House lies at the corner of Badgworth Lane and Quarrylands Lane in the village of Badgworth, around six miles from Cheddar. Care staff will live on the premises, with two carers being on-site at any one time working on 48-hour shifts and a full-time residential manager. But the news was not welcomed by everyone. Councillor Graham Godwin-Pearson – whose Axevale ward includes the site – added: "If there's one thing I've learned from having a child myself, it's the importance of community – the sense of belonging that a child gets from being part of a school or a village. "Burwell House is a lovely property, and on the face of it looks ideal – but it is cut off from villages. The roads outside are fast, dangerous and unlit – there are tractors, horseboxes and drivers going way too fast. "The parking is a giant game of Tetris in that property. Members of staff arriving or leaving will find changeovers very difficult, especially when weather conditions are poor. "I appreciate the county council's need for more homes for children in care, but all things considered I would have thought there are many properties locally which are much better suited for this purpose." Councillor Bill Revans – who also sits on the county council – added: "This facility is hugely needed in Somerset. The number of our children that are accommodated outside of our county is eye-watering, and the cost of that is massive as well." After a short debate, the committee voted unanimously to approve the plans. The county council's cabinet agreed in June 2021 that it would be creating up to ten new children's homes over a five-year period to combat the rising cost of residential placements for children in care. A total of £3million from the council's capital programme has been committed to delivering these new homes, each of which will have no more than four children living there to ensure care can be "personalised and individually tailored". Speaking at the time, Councillor Frances Nicholson – cabinet member for children and families – said: "These children have had some of the biggest challenges – but they are still children, and they need to be brought up as best we can. "We need to make sure that for each child who needs our support and help to grow up and to be a happy, healthy, contributing adult – it's where they live, the people they're with and the education they have. "Putting those three together so we can provide the right help for the right child at the right time is what this is all about."