Sustainable property development gets the green light
A housebuilder has won planning permission for a new sustainable community of homes on brownfield land in Frome.
The resolution was made at a meeting of Somerset Council’s Planning Committee East and the scheme includes a mix of 25 properties, from one to three-bed homes, which will help to meet local housing needs and open the door to home-ownership to more local families.
Every new home at the zero carbon ready development will include air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
As part of the scheme, Persimmon will also transfer eight properties to a social housing provider for rent and shared ownership for the purposes of housing local people.
Persimmon Homes’ Wessex Managing Director, Julian Roper, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this positive decision on our scheme in Frome.
“The development on brownfield land off Adderwell Road will provide a wide range of high-quality new homes designed for local people, especially young families and first-time buyers, who otherwise might struggle to get onto the housing ladder.
“Every home will be equipped with air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points, while the site will also include biodiversity enhancement measures such as bird and bat boxes and wildflower planting, as well as initiatives to encourage sustainable travel including cycle stores and green travel vouchers.
“The scheme will also deliver additional community benefit through the creation of new jobs, eight new affordable homes, publicly accessible green open space and financial contributions to local education and NHS services.
“Throughout the planning process we have worked closely with officers and stakeholders at Somerset Council and Frome Town Council to ensure that our homes are in-keeping with – and enhance – the local area and its surroundings.
“Persimmon has a proven track record of delivery and we are excited about this latest scheme as we continue to build the best value homes in sustainable and inclusive communities.”
The proposals in Frome demonstrate high-quality design and placemaking with the design itself using a palette of building materials to create a seamless blend with development to the east and south.
The development will also implement energy efficiency and sustainability measures which go above and beyond local planning policy requirements.
The scheme has also been enhanced through the incorporation of additional landscaping which has been created by the underground crating of drainage to provide a usable focal open space for residents. At the request of Frome Town Council, this will be planted with fruit trees.
