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Search the Public Notice PortalThe leader of Somerset Council has called on the new owners of the Saxonvale site to deliver "an outstanding piece of work" for the people of Frome.
The council's executive committee met in Frome on Wednesday (September 23) to decide on the future of the brownfield regeneration site in the town centre, which has been subject to numerous redevelopment efforts over more than a decade.
Following numerous pleas from the public, and a lengthy debate in confidential session, the council announced Newcore Capital was the successful bidder, beating out seven other parties including the local Mayday Saxonvale offer.
In his closing address, council leader Bill Revans said he hoped that the new owner would positively engage with local residents and deliver a development which would truly meet the town's needs.
Here's everything you need to know about the meeting - and what comes next...
What did Frome residents want?
More than 100 people attended the meeting at Frome Town Hall, either in person or virtually, to plead with the council to choose a bidder which truly had the town's best interest at heart.
Town council leader Fiona Barrows said: "There is no other site in Frome that is as significant and, as such, we have always advocated for the right development for the site.
"Frome has always been a town with industries and businesses of its own, and those have helped shape our character. We do not want to become a town of commuters and remote workers.
"We want a thriving town centre with businesses, makers, employers and opportunities for people to work locally."
Susie Temple from Frome Families for the Future said that Mayday Saxonvale's option had captured the public's imagination and was the best option for the site.
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She said: "We care deeply about what kind of town our children are going to inherit.
"Across Frome, people have reached into their own pockets because they believe this place matters.
"We want our children to be able to afford to live here. We want them to grow up in a town where there are jobs and opportunities, not somewhere they automatically have to leave.
"We want places where people can meet, play and belong, and we want the value created in Frome to stay in Frome, so that the decisions we make today continue to benefit people who live here long after our children have grown up."
Paul Oster, director of Mayday Saxonvale, said the council was wrong to take an open-minded approach to regeneration at the Firepool site in Taunton and not accord Frome the same courtesy.
He explained: "The council cannot fund the development of Firepool itself, so you have found another route: a development agreement with a developer, under which the council keeps control over delivery of the regeneration outcomes.
"In Frome, a for sale sign has been stuck on Saxonvale, to be disposed of with the council retaining no input into what comes next.
"Frome is left to plead for what it needs with a developer facing a complex site, rising costs, and only one route to a reasonable aspiration of protecting their profit: housing."
What about Frome's elected representatives?
No Frome division members currently sit on the executive committee, but Mr Revans used his discretion to allow them to address the meeting.
Councillor Shane Collins (Green, Frome East) claimed there had been a "lack of due diligence" on previous efforts to sell the site and said he was "very concerned" that the proposed bidders had not been allowed to make their case in public.
He added; "I'm very worried about going for the unconditional sale to whoever's got the most money up front.
"While it may be today's solution, it will ultimately lead to tomorrow's problems."
Councillor Helen Kay (who represents the same division) said that Frome desperately needed more employment opportunities to reduce commuting out of the town.
She said: "We have a massive amount of out-commuting from Frome and there is an imbalance between the residential and employment element - it's a greater imbalance than any of the other large towns in Somerset.
"It's always been the case that we need employment in the town.
"We have kept kicking the can down the road, allowing housing to go through on mixed-use sites like the Old Print Works and the former Cuprinol site."
Councillor Martin Dimery (Green, Frome West) said there was a "shroud of mystery" over the entire process which had led to widespread "distrust" of the council's intentions.
Councillor Dawn Denton (Conservative, Frome North) added: "We've been waiting for decades for the site to be developed - we've been waiting way too long and we need to draw a line.
"We owe it to Frome and to all Somerset taxpayers because it's an ongoing cost to keep the site open, and we have to be really aware of that."
How much was the winning bid?
Following the public comments, the executive entered into confidential session to discuss the various bids.
More than 90 minutes' later, the meeting reconvened, with councillors voting to announce Newcore Capital as the winning bid.
The council has not disclosed how much Newcore has paid for the site, citing commercial sensitivity.
However, Mr Revans did confirm that the sale agreement included an "anti-embarrassment clause", meaning that if the site is sold again within the next 30 months (i.e. before March 2029), the council will receive 50 per cent of any net increase in value during that time.
He added: "This does not give the council any control over the identity of an onward purchaser for the future development of a site.
"The only control which we have will be exercised in our separate capacity as the local planning authority, and this will be in the same way as for any other landowner or developer."
What did Bill Revans say?
Mr Revans (who represents the North Petherton division near Bridgwater) gave a brief statement at the end of the meeting, sending a message to the developer to bring forward proposals rapidly which responds to Frome's needs.
He said: "There is tremendous local feeling about this site in the community.
"I would expect early and substantive engagement with the community - and that would include Mayday Saxonvale, the town council and local division members - to make sure that the voices we have heard consistently about what people want to see on this site are heard by this developer.
"It's absolutely essential that we can get the best possible outcome for the people of Frome in this process.
"I hope this will be a new start for this site, so that we can deliver an outstanding piece of work that will benefit Frome."
How has Newcore Capital responded?
Newcore Capital said it was "committed to working closely with the people of Frome to understand local aspirations" for the site, and has pledged to stage a series of community engagement events once the sale has been finalised.
Emerging proposals are likely to include a range of new homes, "intergenerational accommodation", community facilities including space for local artists, open space and new car parking.
Chief executive officer Hugo Llewelyn stated after the meeting: "We recognise both the importance of this site to Frome and the strength of feeling within the town about its future.
"As a B Corporation, our purpose is to invest responsibly for the long term, creating a positive impact for people and the planet.
"We deliver sustainable investment in social infrastructure and we see Saxonvale as a real opportunity to do this in partnership with the local community.
"We want to understand what people value about Frome, what the town needs and how Saxonvale can become a thriving part of the town once again.
"Our ambition is to re-stitch Saxonvale into Frome, celebrate its heritage, put nature and liveability at the heart of the proposals and create places and community assets that can be stewarded for the long term."
How has Mayday Saxonvale reacted?
In a statement on Thursday afternoon (September 24), Brigid Clarke, chair of the Mayday Saxonvale Community Benefit Society, said she and her colleagues were "deeply disappointed" by the council's decision.
She elaborated: "The strength of feeling in Frome could not have been clearer yesterday. Hundreds of people came to Frome Town Hall, and our community has raised nearly £1m through our community share offer because people want a meaningful stake in the future of this site.
"We want to thank everyone who has supported a better future for our community of Frome."
Everyone who invested in Mayday Saxonvale's community share offer will receive their money back shortly.
Ms Clarke added that Mayday Saxonvale was "seeking appropriate advice and looking at the options available to us before determining our next steps".
They said: ""If Newcore is serious about working in partnership with Frome, we are ready to talk.
"A decision may have been made, but our ambition for a better future for Saxonvale and for Frome is far from over."
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