FROME Town Council is to explore the possibility of transforming the former Weston warehouse at Saxonvale into an ‘exciting new arts and heritage centre’.
The proposed new centre would offer space to a number of local groups and organisations, including Black Swan Arts and Frome Museum, who are currently restricted by the size of their current buildings. It would also complement the proposed public square in Saxonvale, creating a ‘cultural destination’ for Frome and the surrounding area.
At last weeks’s annual council meeting, councillors agreed to earmark £15,000 from the sale of the town council’s land at Saxonvale, to fund a feasibility study.
The study will investigate; what the costs are for acquiring the building, fitting it out and operating it; how the project will be funded; the structural condition of the building; what the requirements are of the various organisations interested in the project; the potential for collaboration between the interested groups and organisations; and how the centre could be managed and operated.
Explaining the potential benefits of the project at last week’s meeting, economic development & regeneration manager for the town council, cllr Peter Wheelhouse, said, “This is an opportunity to preserve and to enhance an existing heritage building within Saxonvale.
“This is the opportunity to create some exciting new experiences in terms of the interpretation of the town’s heritage, the display of art, and also supporting education in arts and heritage. And it will enable a number of important community groups to grow.”
Cllr Sheila Gore commented, “It is clearly going to be a great contribution to this town and also to the whole of Mendip – it is raising awareness of what our heritage is about in this area.”
Meanwhile, Mendip District Council has submitted the planning application for the Saxonvale redevelopment, which includes a proposal to retain the former Weston warehouse. The building will be available for interested parties to bid for ownership.
At the meeting, cllr Wheelhouse explained, “There’s no question that it (Weston warehouse) does present some potential to create a new arts and heritage centre. And the important thing is that Mendip District Council who currently own this site and Acorn Property Group who are the developers, are prepared to entertain an expression of interest.”
To view and comment on the plans, visit: https://public access.mendip gov.uk/online-applications.
