A local Frome group is asking for the town’s support in its final battle to save the
cherished Packsaddle Community Fields; a crucial green space for residents and
wildlife, and a designated ‘Asset of Community Value’.
Plans from developer, LiveWest, to build on Packsaddle Community Fields have
faced unfailing resistance from local residents, and have been resoundingly rejected
by both Frome Town Council and Somerset Council. Despite this overwhelming
opposition, LiveWest has lodged an appeal, and the fate of Packsaddle Community
Fields will now be decided by the Planning Inspectorate in a hearing on 12 th August.
The hearing will be held at Somerset Council’s Shepton Mallet site, and is expected
to last 4 days.
People for Packsaddle have led the community campaign to save the site, with
support from local MP Anna Sabine, Somerset Councillors Adam Boyden, Dawn
Denton and Martin Dimery, Frome Town Council and local Councillors, and the
Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), as well as the wider Frome
community and other experts. They are mounting a final push to raise funds for its
legal representation at the hearing.
Campaign spokesperson Toby Culff explained the situation, “The Packsaddle
community agreed, at a packed meeting in April, to become a Rule 6 Party in the
Appeal proceedings. This means we have the right to submit evidence from expert
witnesses, cross examine evidence submitted by the developer, and to take a full
and active role in the appeal process. We will be supported by an expert legal team,
including a barrister.”
“This decision wasn’t taken lightly, given the huge costs involved, but we agreed
that, having come so far, we couldn’t fall at the last hurdle and face losing the Fields
forever. The local community has pulled out all the stops to fund the legal costs, but
we have a shortfall of £10,000. We really need the people of Frome to join us and
help us over the line.”
“It’s long been our belief that Frome people can tell the difference between good
development and bad, and that they recognise naked greed when they see it.
LiveWest and developers like them don’t care about Frome and its residents: they
are here to take, take, take. Thankfully, Frome has shown that it’s a town which will
fight back and say NO. We need that fighting spirit again.”
“As well as raising a phenomenal amount already, we recently heard from the
Planning Inspectorate that a staggering 200 representations were made by the
people of Frome as part of the appeal process. It’s a clear message that the Fields
are worthy of protection, and that local people will fight all the way to save them. We
really are surrounded by incredibly committed people”.
Somerset Council has also committed to defend the decision its Councillors took to
reject the planning application, a position that was by no means definite given the
conflict of interest they face being the landowner.
“We’re pleased to be working towards the same aim as Somerset Council in the
Appeal, and hope that, going forward, we will be able to have a constructive dialogue
with them about the future of the Fields coming into Community ownership”
explained Toby.
You can support the campaign to save Packsaddle Community Fields by donating to
the People For Packsaddle bank account (account name People For Packsaddle,
sort code 80 22 60, account number 24205069, reference APPEAL) or by visiting
their GoFundMe page
