The Saxonvale site in the heart of Frome has been put on the open market by Somerset Council.
The 12-acre brownfield site had been set to become a flagship example of community-led development after Somerset Council unanimously agreed in January last year to sell it to not-for-profit group Mayday Saxonvale.
However, it has now returned to the open market after the council said previous approaches had ‘not delivered a viable outcome’.
Somerset Council leader Cllr Bill Revans said, “Somerset Council is bringing the Saxonvale site to the open market, to secure best consideration for the residents of Frome and Somerset. The council has a duty and obligation to do so under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972.
“A transparent, competitive process is now required to protect the public interest and enable the delivery of a scheme that supports the long-term vitality of Frome town centre.”
Frome and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine has called for the long-running process to move forward without further delay, saying development on the site is urgently needed.
She said, “Frome has an acknowledged housing crisis and Saxonvale is the one site this whole town agrees must be developed. I represent families in desperate housing need who cannot afford another cycle of delay. After years of waiting, we now have a real opportunity to see homes built on this site and whichever proposal succeeds, the town must be allowed to crack on and deliver.”
Somerset Council previously agreed to sell the brownfield site to Mayday after property developer Acorn withdrew its plans following strong local opposition in 2024.
Mayday’s proposals include 263 homes, with at least 30 per cent affordable and a stretch target of 50 per cent. Plans also include 10,000 sq m of commercial and community space, an enterprise centre, community kitchen and cultural centre, alongside a riverside park and play area, hotel and spa and a lido.
However, the council later said it would return the site to the open market due to a lack of funding evidence from Mayday Saxonvale Ltd.
In December, Mayday secured £1.2m in funding to support its bid to develop the site. It was also due to launch a community share offer, inviting residents to become co-owners with a minimum investment of £250.
Mayday said the council had not engaged with its proposal.
A spokesperson said, “Back in October, we put forward an alternative proposal, supported by £1.2m of central government funding secured through the Resonance Community Builders Fund. This would have enabled us to strengthen the investment through a community share offer, providing the council with an upfront payment for the site and security over the remaining value. Crucially, it would have allowed us to move forward with a regeneration scheme in Saxonvale that no private developer would deliver.
“Instead, we were told the council would be disposing of the site and that we must bid alongside other private developers, putting us back to square one.”
Last week, Mayday executive director Damon Moore, who has been involved since the group’s inception in 2019, resigned.
Photo: Saxonvale site
