Plans for up to 1,700 new homes close to Frome, the Selwood expansion have been put on hold by Highways asking for more information.

The controversial development, which would also include a new school and a care home, is the source of a sustained campaign fighting the development as simply too big.

Now Highways have put a hold on all decisions, asking for more information about what such a big development would mean for the local roads.

They specifically note: Given the scale of proposed development and associated traffic flow demands, along with existing traffic pressures, the proposal has the potential to impact on the safe and efficient operation of the A36 trunk road.

They have requested a delay of six months while further consultations take place.

You can read about opposition to the Selwood Village plans HERE:

the Frome Nub News site in July last year The exact wording of the Highways response is:

Council's Reference: 2021/1675/EOUT

Referring to the Outline application for the erection of up to 1,700 dwellings (Use Class C3), two care homes (Use Class C3), 12 hectares of employment land (Use Classes E, B2 and B8), a mixed use local centre for primary school (Use Class F1),

cafes/restaurant and convenience store (Use Class E) and other supporting social and physical infrastructure (Use Classes F1, F2 and E), provision of greenspace and other supporting ancillary works, with all matters reserved except for four new vehicular site access points from the existing highway, on land south of Frome, notice is hereby

given that National Highways' formal recommendation is that we:

recommend that planning permission not be granted for a specified

period (see reasons at Annex A – non determination);... Recommendation National Highways recommends that application reference 2021/1675/EOUT not be granted for a period of 6 months from the date of this recommendation. This is to allow the applicant to provide further information which is necessary to determine the impact on the continued

safe operation of the strategic road network and the long-term integrity of its assets, and thereby provide the Local Planning Authority with fully informed advice.