Frome Town Council’s Chair and Leader Cllr Fiona Barrows has released a statement in response to the closing of public access to Packsaddle Fields by landowners Somerset Council. The closure of access to the space follows the threat of legal action against the unitary authority by property developer LiveWest, who hold an option agreement to develop the site, but do not currently have the necessary planning permission to proceed with a development.
“My fellow councillors and I are shocked and deeply dismayed by the decision to fence off Packsaddle Fields.
“This site has already been through a full and robust planning process. The development proposals were rejected by Somerset Council, dismissed on appeal by a Government Planning Inspector, and that decision was later confirmed by the Secretary of State. The inspector was clear that the harm caused by the loss of this valued green space outweighed the housing benefits being proposed.
“Green space in Frome is precious. Packsaddle is a valued place for residents and is recognised as an Asset of Community Value. The planning inspector recognised that this part of the town already has less green space than others, meaning any development here would need to be truly exceptional. The fact that the plan LiveWest put forward did not provide even policy-compliant levels of affordable housing was not lost on residents of Frome.
“Much of the strength of feeling locally also comes from the way this site has been handled. Frome Town Council and the local community were not meaningfully involved when the contract was drawn up with LiveWest, leaving people feeling that decisions affecting our town were being done to them rather than with them.
“LiveWest’s decision to continue pursuing action on this site is therefore extremely troubling. Threatening legal action against Somerset Council, a council already facing severe financial pressure, risks costing taxpayers significant sums and feels both disproportionate and unnecessary. For a social housing provider to take this approach towards a community that has clearly rejected its proposals is deeply disappointing and feels like corporate bullying.
“While I recognise the difficult position Somerset Council now finds itself in because of this threat of legal action, I urge them not to compound earlier mistakes. Packsaddle Fields are important to the people of Frome and should remain open for the community.
“Somerset Council should stand up for our town and do what is right, fair and best for Frome.”
An open letter to Cllr Mike Rigby, Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets re. Packsaddle (Somerset Council)
Cc: Cllr Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset Council
Dear Mike,
I am writing on behalf of Frome Town Council regarding Somerset Council’s recent communication about the Packsaddle site and the legal challenge brought by LiveWest.
Packsaddle has become a valued green space for residents and is recognised by Somerset Council as an Asset of Community Value. While any proposal to build on green space would raise concern, frustration has been heightened by the way this site has been handled by both LiveWest and Somerset Council.
At no stage during the decision to option the land to LiveWest, or in the early stages of the process, were Frome Town Council or the local community meaningfully involved in shaping a development that could meet the needs of our town. Instead, an agreement was reached without that collaboration, leaving residents reacting to proposals that felt imposed rather than developed in partnership.
Many residents felt the scheme did not meet Frome’s needs and did not justify the loss of such a valued green space. There was particular concern that a proposal led by a social housing provider included such a limited level of affordable housing, with the financial value generated intended to support provision elsewhere in Somerset despite the clear need here in Frome. There are currently 880 households on the social housing waiting list in our town.
LiveWest’s proposals were rejected by democratically elected councillors at the Planning East Board and later dismissed on appeal by Planning Inspector Michael Chalk, who concluded that the harm caused by the loss of green space outweighed the benefits of the scheme. He confirmed the land’s status as open space, referencing its designation as an Asset of Community Value, and highlighted the shortage of accessible green space in College Ward.
We recognise the difficult position Somerset Council now finds itself in due to the threat of legal action and the potential cost to the public purse at a time when the Council’s finances are already under immense pressure. However, the decision to fence off this valued green space in response to pressure from a developer whose proposals have already been rejected through the democratic planning process is deeply concerning.
More broadly, this situation reflects growing concern in Frome about our relationship with Somerset Council. Since the creation of the Unitary Authority, many residents feel increasingly disconnected from decisions affecting our town. We hope this moment can prompt reflection about how Somerset Council works with Frome in the future. Earlier collaboration, meaningful engagement and a clearer focus on development that genuinely meets local needs would go a long way towards rebuilding trust.
We invite you to come to Frome for our next Council Meeting on 25 March to answer questions, and in the meantime, we ask Somerset Council to reconsider their decision to fence off Packsaddle, and to stand up for what is right, fair and best for the people of Frome.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Fiona Barrows
The next meeting of Frome Town Council will take place on Wednesday 25 March from 7pm. The papers and agenda will be published on the FTC website by Wednesday 18 March.
