Funding delays pauses Saxonvale purchase

The purchase of the Mayday Saxonvale site has still not gone through, as the group says there have been unexpected delays with funding.

In January this year, Somerset Council’s executive agreed to sell the brownfield site, which is at the heart of Frome town centre, to the Mayday Saxonvale group to progress a community-led development.

However, six months on, the purchase has still not been completed due to a funding delay. But the group says they are ‘actively engaging with alternative funding routes.’

Director of Mayday Saxonvale Paul Oyster said, “We fully understand and share the frustration surrounding ongoing delays to the Saxonvale site purchase. We recognise the people of Frome have waited a long time to see this vital site brought back into meaningful use, and we remain fully committed to ensuring that happens.

“There have been unexpected delays to a larger funding programme, which includes support for our prospective Joint Venture Partner, Kiss House, and would, in turn, provide investment in Saxonvale. While delays of this kind are not unusual for funding programmes of this scale, we are actively engaging with alternative funding routes to ensure we minimise any further delay. This strategy has been shared in full with Somerset Council.”

The decision for Somerset Council to sell the land to Mayday, a social enterprise, in January marked an historic milestone for the town and the end of Mayday Saxonvale’s five-year battle to take on the site.

Property developer Acorn had initially been selected by Somerset Council last July to develop the site however, the next day, Acorn withdrew its plans after significant community backlash. Following this, Mayday reported that they were in ‘positive’ negotiations with the authority to buy the land.

Mayday’s proposal includes 263 homes, of which at least 30 percent will be affordable (with a stretch target of 50 percent); at least 10,000 sqm of commercial and community space; a riverside park and children’s play area; improved cycle links between the site and Vicarage Street; the realignment of the A362 Garsdale roundabout and £246,000 towards improving the Gorehedge junction; new public open spaces; a hotel and spa; a lido; and nearly £828,000 for improving local schools.

However, at a Somerset Council meeting earlier this month, local Conservative councillor Dawn Denton said that it had nearly been a year since the group were given the ‘green light’ and ‘Frome residents have seen no meaningful progress on the ground.’

Paul said, “Mayday Saxonvale remains fully committed to delivering a development that meets the high aspirations of Frome’s community: one that puts people, sustainability, and social value at its core.”