A NEW masterplan for a brownfield site in Frome has been revealed.
Mendip District Council (MDC) has been working with the Acorn Property Group to regenerate the Saxonvale brownfield site in Frome town centre, through a mixture of housing, commercial uses and public open space.
The council’s planning board voted to approve outline plans for the scheme in late-January, subject to legal agreements being signed – and work to clear the site using a grant from Homes England began in early-August.
READ MORE: Clearance work to start at Saxonvale in Frome
However, now Mayday Saxonvale - a campaign opposing MDC's and Acorn Property Group's plan for the site - has now submit a reserved matters planning application.
This new application for the site is set to offer a mixed-use town centre extension, with employment space, music and performance space, a spa, a riverside open air lido, and a hotel.
Damon Moore, Mayday Saxonvale Director, said: “The redevelopment of the Saxonvale site has been delayed and delayed, which has led to real frustration for the people of Frome.
"The site has also attracted considerable controversy since the Acorn plan was initiated in 2019.
“Now Mayday Saxonvale has submitted a viable, funded, and policy compliant plan - Frome finally has a real alternative to consider for the site. Mayday Saxonvale, a local social-enterprise, began development of a plan in August 2019.
"The masterplan was founded with social value at its heart, as opposed to a profit-led approach.
“It’s exciting, as should the Mayday plan be approved and come to fruition, it would be the first example anywhere in the UK of a successful community-led masterplan, where Frome would lead the way. This could be an incredible legacy for both Frome and Mendip District Council.”
Despite MDC and Acorn Property Group's plans being approved, work has not yet started due to a Section 106 agreement not yet being signed.
READ MORE: Plans for Saxonvale site in Frome approved AGAIN
Anyone can now view Mayday Saxonvale's planning application on the MDC planning website.
Paul Oster, Mayday Saxonvale director added: “We are asking the people of Frome to make their views clear about this alternative plan by commenting on the Mendip Planning Portal.
"The doors are now open for change - we can still have a genuine town extension in Saxonvale that responds to, and reflects Frome’s creative, entrepreneurial, and community spirit.”
To view the plans, visit the MDC planning website and use the reference 2021/2373/OTS.
To find out more about Mayday Saxonvale visit maydaysaxonvale.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here