Crucial decision looms on future of Frome regeneration site

The Saxonvale site in Frome town centre has seen the subject of two competing proposals for its regeneration – one from the Bristol-based Acorn Property Group, the other from the locally-based Mayday Saxonvale.

Somerset Council (which owns the site) indicated in early-January that it would be looking to sell off the land as part of a wider review of its land, buildings and property portfolio, intended to balance its budget and provide funding for front-line services.

The council’s executive committee will meet in Frome on Wednesday afternoon (July 31) to decide whether Acorn or Mayday’s vision will be given the green light – with the successful bidder then moving forward into contract negotiations and purchasing the site.

The Saxonvale site lies in the heart of Frome town centre, being bordered by the River Frome to the north, the Merchant’s Barton car park to the west, the existing properties on Vicarage Street to the south and the town’s Lidl store to the east.

The 12-acre site is currently sealed off to the public, but has road access leading into it from two sides: Garsdale to the east and Saxonvale itself to the west (near the Silk Mill Studios).

Saxonvale was purchased by Mendip District Council in 2018 and is allocated within the Mendip Local Plan Part II to deliver a minimum of 250 homes along with commercial space and additional town centre car parking.

Acorn had previously secured outline planning permission to build up to 300 homes on the site, along with commercial space and a cultural venue within the ‘western Farehouse’.

However, this permission was squashed in October 2023 by the High Court following a successful judicial review by Mayday Saxonvale.

An artist's impression of the Mayday Saxonvale proposals. (Image: Mayday Saxonvale)

In its revised bid for the site, Acorn has committed to delivering the following:

• 300 homes, of which 160 will be affordable – the equivalent of 53 per cent, and far in excess of the 72 it had originally promised
• 64,480 sq ft of flexible commercial space and buildings, as well as public realm improvements
• A footbridge over the River Frome, linking the new development to Rodden Meadow and the town’s railway station
• A riverside park and children’s play area
• Improvements to the existing cycle network (including parts of National Cycle Network route 24) and new bike stands and shared pumps
• A one-way system on Vicarage Street, with a new access road through the development site
• £2m towards local schools and further road improvements (which were already included in the original Section 106 agreement)

Acorn has committed to delivering a footbridge over the River Frome in its plans. (Image: Acorn Property Group)

Each of the new homes will have air and ground source heat pumps, solar panels and “high performance windows” to reduce running costs and help to protect the environment.

A spokesman said: “We are acutely aware of the need for the town to have genuinely affordable homes designed and built with sustainability at the forefront.

“We will work alongside Frome College to enable apprenticeships with our
contractors, creating local employment and opportunities.

“We want to deliver a legacy for the town that residents and future generations can be proud of.

“To do this, we are looking to partner with stakeholders to champion the delivery of the commercial and community spaces and buildings.

“We have a proven track record of delivering a vast range of schemes spanning over three decades.

“We are ready to commence work on Saxonvale and deliver an exciting new place for the town that will bring nature and the community together.”

The Mayday Saxonvale bid will deliver the following:

• 263 homes, of which at least 30 per cent will be affordable (with a stretch target of 50 per cent)
• At least 10,000 sq m of commercial and community space
• A riverside park and children’s play area
• Improved cycle links between the site and Vicarage Street
• The realignment of the A362 Garsdale roundabout and £246,000 towards improving the Gorehedge junction
• New public open spaces
• A hotel and spa
• A lido
• Nearly £828,000 for improving local schools

FACLT chairman John Clarke ACLT, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Mayday, a developer that shares our values and aspirations.

“This partnership fulfils our core mission of providing genuinely affordable homes.

“Crucially, FACLT will own the freehold of the social rented homes. This means these  homes are secured for the community in perpetuity and are not subject to the right-to-buy scheme.

“Furthermore, owning the freehold will generate income that guarantees future financial stability for FACLT – income that will enable the growth of our
organisation, creating opportunities to provide much-needed genuinely affordable housing for our community and those most in need.

“We believe this partnership significantly enhances the social and community value of the bid for the Saxonvale site.

“We urge Somerset Council’s Executive to recognise the Mayday Saxonvale bid as the best value for Frome and Somerset, delivering lasting benefits for our community.”

Mayday Saxonvale director Paul Oster added: “Bringing our local community land trust into our proposal for Saxonvale will solidify our commitments to putting Frome first, and provide additional security over the community ownership of the site.

“We are excited about what this will mean for FACLT, enabling them to expand their resources and capability to deliver more for Frome.

“This is just the start as we look to invite local groups and individuals to contribute to the development and enhance what it can mean for our town.

“As a Liberal Democrat council, we know they understand the benefits of community development, opting for community development of towns and cities in their manifesto.

“Our development model could pave the way for genuine community-led development across the UK.

“This scale of community-led development has never been achieved in the UK in a master planning context – Frome and Somerset could lead the way and initiate a better way of building in our communities.”

The council’s executive committee will meet to discuss both bids at Frome Town Hall on Wednesday (July 31) from 2pm. The meeting will be live-streamed via Microsoft Teams for those unable to attend in person.