A DECISION on the Mayday Saxonvale planning application has been delayed again by Mendip District Council.
The district council was set to make a decision on the alternative plan for the town centre site this week, on March 16th. The team behind Mayday Saxonvale say that this is the second time the district council has postponed the decision, and that no reason has been given for the delay.
They say, “This delay comes after an extension was agreed by Mayday’s planning consultants from January 2022 to March when the council, as the Local Planning Authority, failed to meet the statutory timeline. The March extension will now also not be met.”
The Mayday plan is an alternative to the plan from Acorn Property Group which has already been given planning permission by Mendip District Council.
Speaking last week about the delay, Mayday Saxonvale director, Damon Moore said, “We have already been subjected to an extended pre-application process of 11 weeks instead of the five we were promised. Having agreed to an extension for the initial determination date in January, it is clear we are being delayed again.
“We are a week from the date set for Planning Board (16th March), but have had no communication from our planning officer Simon Trafford [at Mendip District Council], nor been given any reason for this delay.
“Our planning consultants have called for clarity from the council and strongly requested that our application be determined at the April Planning Board, or failing this, at an emergency Planning Board prior to that meeting. We are awaiting a response from the council.
“The Mayday Alternative Plan has received overwhelming backing from our community, with over 1,000 comments in support submitted by residents on the planning portal. Delaying our planning determination is not only frustrating for us, but it’s also extremely frustrating for the people of Frome.”
The Mayday Saxonvale outline application was validated on 25th October 2021. To date, as the landowner, Mendip has not met with Mayday to discuss the proposal after many requests, including an open letter to the leader of the district council, cllr Ros Wyke, signed by over 1,500 Frome residents, and when Paul Oster, Mayday director, addressed the full council in February 2022.
Mayday Saxonvale director, Paul Oster said, “Even though our planning application determination is being delayed, there is nothing to stop Mendip as the land owner of Saxonvale, engaging with us to discuss our scheme for Frome’s town centre.
“The council engaged in extensive contractual discussions with Acorn prior to their planning application even being submitted, let alone approved. We note that Mendip deputy leader, cllr Barry O’Leary, assured the council on 21st February that both plans would be properly considered, and we await the opportunity to sit down with him and his colleagues to enable that proper consideration will take place.”
Mayday Saxonvale reports that Mendip District Council’s deputy leader, Barry O’Leary gave his assurance, at the February council meeting, that both plans would be given proper consideration after he was questioned by cllr Tom Killen, the Conservative group leader.
Cllr Killen said, “My question relates to the public participation we had earlier regarding Saxonvale. There are two aspects to Saxonvale, one is the planning application and one is what happens to the site going forward, and I just want an assurance that the options will be properly considered.
“I was involved in pursuing one option [the Acorn scheme], but that was the only option at that time, and I think it’s right that all options are given proper consideration.
“There’s a feeling that there isn’t the openness and transparency, and that this needs to come out. I’m just seeking that assurance.”
In response, a Mendip District Council planning spokesperson said, “The application submitted by Mayday Saxonvale Limited under LPA case 2021/2373/OTA remains pending consideration at the current time. The application will be reported to the Planning Board of Mendip District Council later in 2022 following discussions with the applicant’s agent”.
For more information on the full Mayday Saxonvale planning application and how to submit a comment in support visit the website: maydaysaxonvale.co.uk/get-involved
