The new Local Plan, what does it say about Frome? Report 1

This plan is written by Mendip District Council and covers the period 2006 - 2028. You are invited to comment between 22nd November and 17th January. Some of the proposed policies & comments about Frome will be explored on Frome People, starting with the SWOT analysis.

Firstly, what IS a SWOT analysis? Its an assessment of a place, product or person, in this case of the whole of Frome, which looks at its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats. In the case of the Local Plan it is written by the Planning Policy Team at Mendip, no doubt listening to other Councillors, and draws on studies and analysis undertaken by the District Council. It helps to set the policies for the future of Frome and can therefore be seen as a strategic analysis.

So what does it say about Frome? Lets start with the weaknesses and threats;

The weaknesses in Frome are listed as;

• Role as a dormitory town with a proportion of residents working in Bath and other centres
• Main shopping offer and environment is poor resulting in trade leakage

Th threats to the town are listed as;

• An increase in flooding events due to climate change
• Perceptions of excessive urban infill/garden development making areas of the town feel 'over developed'
• Availability of school places and limited County Council capacity to invest

Conversely the strengths of the town are seen as;

• Distinctive character and cultural offer
• Good location to capture tourism potential of the wider Mendip, Bath and west Wiltshire area
• Historic built environment
• Independent retailing
• Employment land supply at Commerce Park

and its opportunities are listed as;

• Saxonvale town centre redevelopment area
• the river corridor - providing extra recreational spaces and benefits to biodiversity
• potential of the creative and night time economy
• more vocational training to young people through a fit for purpose, suitably located, FETE learning centre

What do you think? Is this an accurate description of Frome? What would your SWOT analysis of the town look like?

For more information about the Plan see this article.

You can contact officers via Mendip's customer services team on (01749) 648999 or by email at orgdev@mendip.gov.uk. If more suitable for you to drop into the Council's offices at Shepton Mallet, please ring to arrange an appointment.