Community-backed bid to buy Saxonvale submitted as more than 1,000 people invest over £800,000

Mayday Saxonvale Community Benefit Society has formally submitted its community-led bid to acquire Saxonvale from Somerset Council, marking a major milestone in efforts to bring the 12-acre town centre site into community ownership.  

The bid, made on Monday 13th July, is supported by a Community Share Offer which has so far raised £813,610 from 1,033 investors, demonstrating  unprecedented public support for a new model of regeneration in which long-term value is retained and reinvested locally rather than extracted for private profit. 

If successful, Mayday Saxonvale will deliver a mixed-use extension to Frome’s town centre, including 263 new homes with at least 30% affordable, 10,000 sqm of commercial and community space, community owned assets and high-quality public realm. The proposals are designed for long-term community ownership and stewardship long after the development is finished. 

Holly Lawton, Director of Mayday Saxonvale, said, “I was born and raised in Frome. I’ve watched our town change over the years and, like many people, I’ve seen decisions made about our future that have often felt beyond our control. We’ve seen development happen, profits made and companies move on, while our town has been left to deal with the consequences. And with so much more development on the horizon, we have a real opportunity to do things differently. 

“That’s why this moment means so much. Our community isn’t opposing development, we’re asking for something different. We’ve stepped forward to make it happen ourselves.  

“Who owns things matters. It not only impacts decisions, but where the value ends up. Instead of profits leaving Frome, it stays here, reinvested, creating opportunities long after the homes have been built. 

“Standing by the Saxonvale site with hundreds of people after we’d submitted our bid, knowing what our community has achieved together, was one of the proudest moments of my life. Raising more than £800,000 from over a thousand people is extraordinary. It’s the result of so many people stepping forward, each in their own way, to help make it happen: thousands of conversations and volunteer hours, leaflets delivered, posters put up, social media shared, events organised, doors opened and people encouraging friends and neighbours to get involved. 

“We’ve shown what’s possible when a community believes in itself. We don’t have to wait for change, we can lead it.” 

The proposals are based on several years of technical work and are supported by an experienced professional team, including development managers’ stories, architects Studio Saar and social impact lender Resonance.  

The bid comes as debate continues nationally about how communities can play a greater role in owning and shaping local assets. In a recent open letter, Frome Town Council described Saxonvale as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” and expressed support for a scheme that delivers long-term benefits for the town. 

Brigid Clarke, Chair of Mayday Saxonvale Community Benefit Society, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the bid we’ve submitted. Our proposal offers Somerset Council something genuinely different. This isn’t simply a development proposal; it’s an opportunity to secure decades of social, economic and environmental value for the future of our town and for Somerset. 

“As a Community Benefit Society, every surplus we generate is reinvested for the benefit of our community rather than extracted as private profit. Our ambition is to create a lasting income stream that supports local jobs, affordable homes, community spaces and the long-term stewardship of Saxonvale. 

“Public land should deliver public value. We believe our proposal offers Somerset Council the opportunity to secure lasting social, economic and environmental benefits for Frome alongside the purchase price.  

“We’re also in an exceptionally strong position to move forward. We have an experienced professional team already in place, backing from our funding partner Resonance supported through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Years of technical work, design development and planning are already complete. We’re ready to move straight into detailed planning, putting us years ahead of any new proposal.  

“We genuinely believe our plan represents the best long-term outcome for Frome and Somerset.” 

The Community Share Offer remains open on Crowdfunder until 30 September while Somerset Council considers the bids. Every additional investment demonstrates the strength of community backing behind the proposal and further strengthens Mayday’s position as the process moves forward.