Frome’s rapid growth and increased housing demand have led Frome Town Council to propose an expansion of the town’s parish boundary, initially set in 1974. During October’s council meeting, town clerk Paul Wynne emphasised that Frome has “grown to its limits,” as housing developments continue to progress beyond its borders, extending the parish boundary has become essential. Frome’s population has swelled significantly, doubling since the 1970s, from 13,000 to approximately 28,000 today.
With limited land left within the parish, major housing projects like the Selwood Garden Community (SGC), which could bring in around 1,700 new homes, are anticipated to spill into neighbouring parishes such as Selwood. This surge in growth is expected to impact local services, costs, and council structures. Addressing the council, Mr Wynne stated: “Frome has grown to its limits.
We’re now spewing over the side with new developments.” He explained that future expansions would largely be in adjacent parishes like Selwood unless Frome’s boundaries were adjusted accordingly. The proposed boundary expansion would allow Frome Town Council to maintain essential services for new residents who, though located just outside the current border, would naturally expect Frome’s services.
Mr Wynne raised concerns about fairness, noting that Frome residents would likely end up subsidising these new arrivals without a boundary adjustment. “Those new residents of SGC would pay council t.
