A PUBLIC drop-in event is taking place today (Wednesday, March 6) as a developer resubmitted its Frome plans for housing, community, and commercial space.

Acorn Property Group is resubmitting revised plans for the development of Saxonvale in Frome, after the planning permission was quashed (overturned) by the High Court in October 2023, on a procedural technicality relating to the amount of commercial floorspace.

Acorn has reviewed the design and parameters of the scheme and is seeking to increase the commercial space by 43 per cent to provide 64,480sqft of flexible commercial and community spaces.

There are no other changes to the application.

The team at Acorn is inviting the public to attend a drop-in event at Frome Town Hall today (Wednesday, March 6) between 3.30pm – 6.30pm, where they will be on hand to answer any questions.

The commercial element will be designed with a focus on incubator business spaces to enable local companies to remain and grow in Frome.

The specification for the new buildings will exceed current building standards, while historic buildings such as the Western Warehouse will be retained and upgraded.

The detailed elements of the scheme will be brought forward for consultation following the decision of the outline application later in the year.

Amy Proctor MRICS, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Acorn Property Group said: “We have always believed in our vision for Saxonvale which will transform this long-awaited redundant site, delivering much-needed housing, community, and commercial space.

“In addition to £2million in S106 contributions including over £1million towards Education.

We will ensure the commercial space is sustainable, deliverable, and a realistic offering for Frome, we will continue to engage with the local community and work towards a detailed application later in the year.”

The developer also added that the event is not a public consultation, but a drop-in information event where the Acorn team will be on hand to answer questions and provide an update.