Questions, Challenges & Current Projects
FACLT is working to encourage and enable the type of housing development that is really needed in the town, particularly by those on low to medium incomes.
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Since 2006, 402 affordable homes have been built in Frome out of a total of 1,754.
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A further 92 affordable homes for Frome have consent but have not been built
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Somerset Council's target is for a further 9,700 affordable new homes in Somerset over the next 10 years.
1. SomersetLive, Evening Standard Homes & Property
2. Zoopla
Questions and Challenges
As Frome becomes increasingly popular and well-known, its adjoining fields and former industrial sites such as The Old Print Works and Weston Vinyl have been eagerly snapped up by housing developers, some to be built upon and some to sit derelict for years.
The majority of new homes locally have been built for the open market.
We are particularly concerned about the need for more social housing – that is, homes let by housing associations for social rents.
Our questions and challenges:
- How much new housing in Frome is genuinely affordable, in line with local incomes and employment opportunities?
- How much is available for people with a local connection?
- Is the accommodation built to last, and compliant with environmental best practice?
- Are these new neighbourhoods designed with community in mind?
- Do they have the potential to become not just houses and flats but homes, fully integrated into the local community, education and transport networks?
Our Current Projects
- We have been invited to work in partnership with Mayday Saxonvale on the Saxonvale masterplan.
- As part of our ongoing research, we have created a live map of potential development spaces in Frome (Land Search).
- We are working closely with Frome Town Council on developing an action plan following the declaration of a Housing Crisis here in Frome.
- We are in meetings with Somerset Council, exploring opportunities to develop social housing on Somerset Council owned land.
- We are consulting with Somerset Council and a local housing association on a small 100% social housing development in Frome.
- We have been approached by individuals who are interested in finding out about how to leave FACLT a gift of property or money in their will.
FACLT is aware that other CLTs have received legacies and is currently exploring a Legacy Scheme. - We are the process of creating a new role for a Development Worker, who also will lead on research.