Public meeting to decide fate of Saxonvale site next month

By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Mumby

The fate of the Saxonvale regeneration site in Frome town centre will be decided at a public meeting of Somerset Council’s executive committee on Wednesday 23rd September.

Mayday Saxonvale has been seeking for several years to implement its vision for the brownfield site, which includes more than 260 homes, commercial space, a cultural centre and a lido.

Attempts to redevelop the site have been subject to numerous delays, with Somerset Council’s executive committee voting in late-October 2025 to put the land on the open market after Mayday Saxonvale struggled to come up with the necessary funds to acquire it.

Mayday Saxonvale officially submitted its bid to purchase the site in mid-July, and has raised nearly £923,000 through its community share scheme, which runs until the end of September.

The group’s bid is one of eight currently being considered by officers. Somerset Council has now publicly promised that a final decision on the winning bidder will be taken by its executive committee in Frome on 23rd September.

Brigid Clark, chair of the Mayday Saxonvale Community Benefit Society, sought assurance from the council’s executive at the meeting on 5th August, that their bid would be considered fairly alongside proposals from more traditional developers.

She said, “In excess of 3,000 people have been actively involved in the campaign, along with Frome Town Council and local businesses.

“The reason for this passion is that the town recognises the opportunity that this site above any others represents for a meaningful regeneration of the town centre.

“They understand that the benefits of the Mayday scheme will provide a level of resilience for Frome and its community, socially and economically, that is otherwise unachievable.

“As a community-led organisation, our funding structure will necessarily be different to that of traditional developers.

“We are totally aligned with recent government policy and will be drawing on the support of the community-led development funding pots and grants available to us.

“We have asked for and not yet received assurance that in its deliberations, CBRE and Somerset Council will take into account the enormous future benefits that the Mayday plan will deliver, not only for Frome but for Somerset.

“Can the committee assure us that this sale will be treated not just as a land sale, but as a once in many generations opportunity for Frome?”

On top of its community share scheme, Mayday Saxonvale has secured £1.2m from the Resonance community developers fund, which is backed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Cllr Rigby (who represents the Lydeard division near Taunton) said, “We are in the assessment phase, having received eight bids for this site. The process has ensured any bidders that wished to come forward have been able to do so.

“In order to give maximum flexibility to bidders and bring forward the long-standing desire to see action on this site, we are seeking unconditional offers.

“All bids received are being fairly assessed with the support of our independent advisers CBRE.

“Members can be assured that we will meet our best value obligations by assessing the financial offers received for the site alongside its deliverability.”

While the decision on the site’s future remains pending, Frome residents can invest in the community share offer from as little as £250 by www.maydaysaxonvale.co.uk.

If Mayday’s bid is not accepted, investment applications are returned, subject to any applicable payment processing fees.

Picture by Mayday Saxonvale.