Decision looms over rival visions for town centre regeneration
FROME residents will find out next week which of two competing visions for the Saxonvale regeneration site will be taken forward.
The site in Frome town centre has been 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 January that it would be looking to sell 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 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 12-acre Saxonvale site is in the heart of Frome town centre and is currently sealed off to the public.
It 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 warehouse’.
However, this permission was squashed in October 2023 by the High Court following a successful judicial review by Mayday Saxonvale.
In its revised bid for the site, Acorn has committed to build 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, plus 64,480 sq ft of commercial space and a footbridge over the River Frome linking it to the railway station
The Mayday bid meanwhile comprises of 263 homes, of which at least 30 per cent will be affordable and at at least 100,000 sq ft of commercial and community space.
The council’s executive committee will meet to discuss both bids at Frome Town Hall on Wednesday from 2pm. The meeting will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.