Housing secretary called in NVB Architects-designed scheme last year over concerns about environmental destruction and local infrastructure provision
The government has approved plans by NVB Architects for a 1,700-home scheme in Somerset following a public inquiry.
The masterplan for Selwood Garden Community (SGC), submitted to Frome Town Council by landowners, was called in by the housing secretary in February 2025 just a day before the Somerset council planning board was due to debate the application.
The Stop Selwood Garden Community group have been campaigning against the development since 2021 due to concerns that it would overwhelm Frome’s infrastructure and housing need as well as destroy natural habitats and farmland.
However, the decision to approve the scheme was made by Steve Reed at the end of last week.
Steve Tanner, chair of Frome Town Council’s planning committee, said: “I understand that there are mixed feelings and real concern about this decision and about the impact of this development on our local infrastructure.
“Frome Town Council have stayed at the table over the past five years, working closely with the developer and Somerset council to push for the best possible outcome for Frome. That means proper infrastructure, improvements to the A361/A362 junction, investment in community buildings, employment opportunities and making sure that active travel is built in from the start, not as an afterthought.
“Crucially, this scheme secures approximately 510 new, affordable and socially rented homes for local people, which is something Frome desperately needs.”
Frome Town Council changed its position on SGC a month after it was called in by the government. It announced that it and the county council would no longer oppose the development following discussions with the applicants, Selwood Parish Council and Frome and Somerset councillors regarding Section 106 funding.
SGC was inspired by NVB director Mark Brierley, who submitted his vision in 2014 to the Wolfson Economics Prize – a national competition exploring how new garden settlements could be delivered in the UK. A primary school, two care homes, a local centre and workspace are also included in the proposals.
More than one-third of the site has been allocated for green infrastructure, where community meadows, orchards, woodland, parks and allotments will be provided on privately owned land.
NVB said “careful consideration” had been given to nearby sites of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation as the development sits close to the Mendip Hills. It also said that the neighbourhood follows design principles inspired by Bristol’s “playing out” movement, which campaigns for street designs that prioritise children playing outside.
As a result, Selwood Garden Community will have low-traffic streets and “extensive” walking and cycling routes to “encourage social interaction and reduce car dependency”.
Matthew Kendrick, director at consultancy Grass Roots Planning, which is advising on SGC, said: “It is rare for sites of this scale to receive permission without any form of local plan allocation – draft or otherwise – and with the strong support of a town council, that has taken a positive and proactive approach to maximise the wider benefits secured for the area.
“Both the secretary of state’s decision and the detailed inspector’s report stand as clear validation of the hard work that has been put in.”
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