Error hits decision on plans for homes

A DECISION on a major new development in Frome has been delayed by a month due to “an administrative error”.

Silverwood (Ditcheat) Ltd has put forward plans to build 235 homes and several commercial units on land either side of Sandys Hill Lane, near the Somerset town’s Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Mendip District Council’s planning board met virtually on yesterday to make a decision on the plans.

But this has had to be postponed until late-June after it emerged that not all the relevant consultees – including the parish council – had been contacted to give their views.

Under planning law, there are a number of bodies who must be contacted and asked for their views ahead of a decision being taken on any planning application.

Councillor Damon Hooton (who chairs the planning board) did not specify which bodies had not been contacted – but said it was an issue with the council’s IT systems, rather than a personal oversight on the part of any individual planning official.

Silverwood’s plans for the site would see new homes being built at its eastern edge, away from both the existing commercial development and the town’s household recycling centre.

The commercial space will include a food store, a non-food retail outlet. and a drive-thru of some description.

The company is based in Westonbirt in Gloucestershire, according to Companies House, but one of its directors is Philip Ham – who represents Coleford and Holcombe on the district council, and is also the county councillor for Mendip Central and East.