Saxonvale sale decision due tomorrow

A decision on the future sale of the 12-acre Saxonvale brownfield site will be made at Frome Town Hall tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd September. 

Somerset Council’s Executive Committee is meeting at 1pm to decide whether to approve the sale of the site to a preferred bidder recommended by council officers. 

The identity of the preferred bidder has not been made public, with parts of the report and supporting information remaining confidential. 

Eight bids were submitted for the site, with the council assessing financial offers alongside proof of funds, transaction timescales, experience and track record.  

Mayday Saxonvale, which has been seeking to buy the site through a community-led scheme, has said it is not the preferred bidder. 

The group is now urging residents to gather outside Frome Town Hall at 12.15pm ahead of tomorrow’s meeting in a show of support for its proposal.  

A statement from the group said, “The final decision on the sale of Saxonvale has not been made. The Executive does not have to accept the officer’s recommendation, or even accept any offer. They still have the opportunity to make the right choice for Frome.” 

The council previously selected developer Acorn Property Group as its preferred party for the site in July 2024, but Acorn later withdrew from the process following opposition to its plans. 

The council then agreed to sell the site to Mayday Saxonvale, which had put forward a community-led proposal for its regeneration. 

However, in October 2025 the council withdrew its offer to Mayday after the group failed to provide the required proof of funding and agreed to put the site back on the open market. 

The site was formally marketed in May this year, with bids submitted by 13th July.  

Mayday’s proposal includes more than 260 homes alongside commercial and community space, affordable housing, public areas and long-term community ownership. 

The group has raised nearly £1 million through its community share offer and has also secured a £1.2 million social impact loan from the Resonance Community Developers Fund.