Great Western Coffee Shop

Outline plans for the most significant development for Frome in decades was unveiled to a packed hall on Tuesday night.The long-awaited and much anticipated proposals to transform a derelict area close to the town centre and the banks of the River Frome received a mixed reaction by up to 200 people who squeezed into the Assembly Rooms (link below.)
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Changes to a masterplan - proposing to put houses, shops, offices, workshops, footpaths and green spaces on a derelict piece of land near Frome town centre - have been revealed. On Tuesday, Bristol-based developer Terramond presented a revised approach to the development of the Saxonvale site, after input by residents and Mendip District Council (link below.)
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As a result of reactions, comments and suggestions, major changes to the plan, in progress now, include a reduction in the number of houses from 450 to 350, which will range from sheltered and affordable housing to flats and family homes.

The amount of retail space for shops and other commercial premises has been increased from 35,000sqft to 84,000sqft, while the 68 car parking spaces proposed will rise to 89.

The size of a public square at the heart of the development has been increased and public toilets have been included.

However, car parking remained a big issue with residents, who said they feared the problem of already congested streets would be exacerbated as not enough spaces were being allocated for new homes and shops.

An underground car park was dismissed by the developers as too expensive and problematic.

People said they wanted to see far better links between the existing town centre and the new development, more facilities for children and a scheme for public transport, including the possibility of park and ride.

Terramond said it would submit an outline planning application to the district council next month.

Also, the Cheese and Grain will be the venue for the start of a community consultation on the future of Frome. The Vision 4 Frome (V4F) event will start at 9.30am on Saturday and organisers hope for a busy day of ideas and suggestions from residents (link below.)
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The event is an open Post-It session in the foyer of the Cheese and Grain, in the Market Yard car park.

The idea is that people jot down their suggestions on Post-It notes and leave them with volunteers.

Meanwhile, a V4F collage will be started with organisers asking contributors to place their name on the artwork.

The group has been given grants totalling ^45,000 from the Market and Coastal Towns initiative and Mendip District Council to fund the project.

Once the consultation is complete, the group will collate the information into a report.

Over the next few weeks, there will be other opportunities to participate.

From next week, there will be a drop-in information point at the George Hotel, in the Market Place, Post-It note sessions and group workshops.

Emails and letters can also be sent to the Somerset Standard.

There will also be Saturday outreach sessions outside each of the main shopping centres in the town during April and May.

For more information on the V4F project, visit www.vision4frome.org.uk or go to the information point at the George Hotel.

The public will have the chance to give their views at an event being hosted by the district council at the Cheese and Grain on Wednesday, from 8.30am to 8pm (link below.)
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People unable to attend the event on Wednesday will have another chance to influence the town's future at a family fun day on Saturday, May 10, at Frome Rugby Club, from 9.30am to 4pm.