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Search the Public Notice PortalFrome residents have demanded that public access to a beloved green space be restored amid an ongoing legal dispute.
Packsaddle Fields, at the northern edge of the town, is owned by Somerset Council and has been a popular walking spot for local residents and families for more than 50 years.
LiveWest entered into an agreement with Somerset Council to redevelop the site, but was twice refused permission to erect 74 homes and a children's home on the green space.
While LiveWest plans its next move, the council has fenced off the majority of the site, leaving only the existing public right of way accessible to local residents and visitors.
The People for Packsaddle group staged a protest on Saturday morning (March 14) demanding that the newly-erected fences be taken down and the fields protected from any future development.
Here's everything you need to know:
How did we get to this point?
Packsaddle Fields, which lies on Frome’s northern edge, has been in public ownership since 1973 and was originally earmarked for a new school.
Somerset County Council announced in March 2022 that it was planning to sell the land off, entering into an agreement with housing association LiveWest – who put forward plans for 74 homes and a children’s home on the site in March 2023.
These plans were refused by Somerset Council's planning committee east in January 2025 - a decision which was subsequently upheld by the Planning Inspectorate following a public inquiry in August 2025.
Following the inspector's ruling in late-September 2025, LiveWest indicated to the government's legal department that it wished to challenge this decision through a judicial review - with the council confirming its support for such a course in late-October 2025.
The government stated in early-November 2025 that the inspector's decision was "correct", that LiveWest's claim was "unarguable", and that it would "oppose the claim and seek all costs" if the judicial review went ahead.
This lead LiveWest to back down - but the agreement with the council remains in place.
After the council initially announced its intention to close off the site in early-November 2025, People for Packsaddle sought legal advice - with the advice stating such a course of action would not have "any material impact" on LiveWest's desire to secure planning permission for the site.
After months of delays and further legal advice being taken, the council finally confirmed on March 6 that it would be fencing off the site, which took place over the following days.
How has the community reacted?
More than 200 people turned up at Packsaddle Fields on Saturday morning (March 14) to protest the council's actions, with banners reading 'Shame On You' being tied to the fencing.
Toby Culff from People for Packsaddle addressed those assembled, asking them not to damage or vandalise the fences while the matter was resolved.
He said: "Green spaces are disappearing everywhere, across Frome, across the county and across the country.
"This space is treasured - it's important, it's invaluable to our community and it binds our community together.
"It's not okay that people can come in and sign away a site like this without engaging properly with the community - without properly understanding what a space like this means to residents, to families and to the wider community.
"Fencing off this land is another aggressive act from a developer that has never cared for this town and is not interested in what we think and what is important to us. And the council doesn't care much either.
"It breaks my heart that I can't go into this field with my children.
"Please do not push the fences aside. I do not want the council back here until it is to take the fences down - and I fear that every time we push the fences aside, we are increasing the likelihood of the council taking an even dimmer view, if that's possible, and coming back with more egregious actions.
"If we stick together and we continue to fight together, I have no doubt in my mind that we will win in the end."
For more information on the ongoing dispute, or to financially contribute towards People for Packsaddle's legal battle, visit www.peopleforpacksaddle.org.
How have local councillors responded?
Councillor Adam Boyden, one of two division members for Frome North has organised a petition to remove the fences from Packsaddle Fields - which can be signed by visiting www.change.org/p/stop-the-fencing-of-packsaddle-fields-in-frome.
The petition has accrued more than 1,400 signatures as of Monday afternoon (March 16) - and can be debated by the full council if it passes 5,000 signatures in the coming weeks.
Mr Boyden said: "The turnout here today demonstrates the importance of Packsaddle Fields for recreation - to let off steam, walk around and be in nature.
"Mendip District Council recognised this as a green space and an asset of community value, furthering community well-being.
"The petition is asking the council and LiveWest to remove the fences and allow public access again.
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"We are asking probing questions of the executive and the chief executive about what the legal situation is - we're trying to find chinks in the armour and what arguments can be made.
"There is a disagreement in the council between its planning policy team on the one hand and its assets and property team on the other hand. We are trying to resolve this."
Councillor Dawn Denton, the other Frome North division member, added: "This is something that is so important and so special to people - we can find other places to build houses.
"I'm incredibly frustrated that the council has not found a way around this.
"I believe that the council is standing its ground simply because there is a legal agreement they feel they can't get out of."
Councillor Martin Dimery (who represents the neighbouring Frome West division) said he was "appalled" by the council's actions, claiming it had "capitulated to corporate bullying".
He elaborated: "Packsaddle has been acknowledged as an area of nature conservation and public recreation.
"When the proposed Live West development on the fields came before the planning committee east last year, I explicitly consulted the legal officer and was reassured that my reasons for proposing its refusal were legally sound.
"The proposal was turned down against officer recommendation. Later, the developer went to appeal and the government inspector upheld our decision.
"The developer then attempted to challenge the legality of the Inspector's report, and was rebuffed.
"Why, then, has the council given in to legal threats from the developer and agreed to close off the fields to the public, removing a permissive path in the process? Surely, the developers have exhausted their legal rights?
"The council has capitulated to corporate bullying, probably because the property services were desperate to sell this land and the planners too easily content to accept the LiveWest plan, which allowed no concessions of low cost or social housing.
"It is time Somerset Council started to represent the people they serve."
Frome Town Council has written an open letter to Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, demanding the removal of the fences and inviting him to attend its next meeting on March 25 to discuss the issue in person.
Council chair Fiona Barrows said: "My fellow councillors and I are shocked and deeply dismayed by the decision to fence off Packsaddle Fields.
"The local community were not meaningfully involved when the contract was drawn up with LiveWest, leaving people feeling that decisions affecting our town were being done to them rather than with them.
"For a social housing provider to take this approach towards a community that has clearly rejected its proposals is deeply disappointing and feels like corporate bullying.
"Somerset Council should stand up for our town and do what is right, fair and best for Frome."
What is the local MP doing to help?
Frome and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine (who also attended the protest) raised the issue in the House of Commons on Thursday (March 12), asking for a meeting with the relevant minister.
She said: "For decades, local people in Frome have used Packsaddle fields as a valued space for walking, recreation and nature.
"Plans to build housing on the site were refused twice last year, because of the harm it would cause to the communities who use the land.
"Despite that, and the fact that it has no live planning application, LiveWest is now taking legal action relating to access to the fields and has forced Somerset Council to fence off the area, which simply denies local people the many benefits of being able to enjoy the outdoors.
"Will the leader of the House urge the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to consider whether it can be reasonable for land to be fenced off in that way and help me to organise a meeting with the relevant Minister to discuss it?"
Leader of the House of Commons Alan Campbell MP responded: "I will raise the matter with the relevant minister and ensure that the honourable lady gets an update on the important point she raises - but I gently point out, as I do when housing matters are considered, that it is much better if these things are decided locally and communities can go along with them, because we do need more houses.
"We need more houses for people to live in and to make sure communities are resilient, but I will ensure that she gets a response to the specific point from the relevant minister."
How have the council and LiveWest responded?
Both Somerset Council and LiveWest have stated that they remain committed to delivering new homes on the land, citing a chronic need for affordable homes in the town.
A council spokesperson said: "The site has been in council ownership and earmarked for development for 50 years.
"A decision to dispose of the land was taken and a contract was signed in July 2022 with LiveWest, enabling the developer to submit a planning application ahead of purchasing the site.
"While the first application did not gain planning approval, the pressing need for new housing remains; we will continue to support this aim.
"As part of our commitment, we are required to comply with the contract. Failure to do so, as we have outlined, could incur legal action and a sizeable financial penalty.
"We have a duty to council tax payers to responsibly manage the land ahead of its future disposal and development which is why we have agreed to close the permissive footpath across the site and have installed fencing to protect the existing public right of way."
A LiveWest spokesperson said: “LiveWest does not own the land at Packsaddle Fields.
"We continue to work closely with Somerset Council, as landowner, to explore the potential of the site for the development of much-needed affordable housing."
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