MAYDAY Saxonvale has submitted a full outline planning application for the Saxonvale site in Frome which they say would leave an ‘incredible legacy’ for the town.
The masterplan offers a mixed-use, town centre extension, with employment space, a primary school, a riverside open air lido, music and performance space and a hotel.
The plan, which also includes distinctive residential neighbourhoods and would preserve and reuse historic buildings, is open for comment on the Mendip District Council Planning Portal.
It is an alternative to the plan from Acorn Property Group which has already been given planning permission by Mendip.
The group report, “Mayday Saxonvale’s plan is focussed on sustainability, offering pedestrian priority and community owned assets that include office/ workshop space, music and performance space, a spa, riverside open air lido, and a hotel. Stories, the preferred joint-venture partner, will provide access to the necessary funding and delivery expertise.”
Damon Moore, Mayday Saxonvale Director, said, “The redevelopment of the Saxonvale site has been delayed and delayed, which has led to real frustration for the people of Frome. The site has also attracted considerable controversy since the Acorn plan was initiated in 2019.
“Now Mayday Saxonvale has submitted a viable, funded, and policy compliant plan, Frome finally has a real alternative to consider for the site. Mayday Saxonvale, a local social-enterprise, began development of a plan in August 2019. The masterplan was founded with social value at its heart, as opposed to a profit-led approach.
“It’s exciting, as should the Mayday plan be approved and come to fruition, it would be the first example anywhere in the UK of a successful community-led masterplan, where Frome would lead the way. This could be an incredible legacy for both Frome and Mendip District Council.”
Although the Acorn Property Group’s plan was approved by the planning board in January (11 votes to 3), and then again in September (7 votes to 6), works have not commenced. Planning cannot be given until Acorn Property Group and Mendip District Council sign an S106 agreement, which still remains unsigned.
Paul Oster, Mayday Saxonvale Director said, “We are asking the people of Frome to make their views clear about this alternative plan by commenting on the Mendip Planning Portal. The doors are now open for change – we can still have a genuine town extension in Saxonvale that responds to, and reflects Frome’s creative, entrepreneurial, and community spirit.”
Mayday Saxonvale has also released a 3D ‘fly through video’, to help bring their plans alive. To watch the video, visit: https://youtu.be/M1JxBrjuNG4
The Mayday Saxonvale plan is now live and open for all to view in full and to leave comments. It can be found listed under the application number 2021/2373/OTS. The full list of documents is also available to view on the Mayday website www.maydaysaxonvale.co.uk
Link to MDC Planning Portal: https://publicaccess.mendip.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=R10XTHKPLE600&activeTab=summary
