The sale of the Saxonvale regeneration site in Frome town centre has yet to be finalized, almost six months after Somerset Council’s executive voted in favour of it. The council agreed in late January to sell the brownfield site to Mayday Saxonvale, a group aiming to bring much-needed affordable housing, commercial spaces, and leisure facilities to the area.
This decision was intended to resolve decades of uncertainty following a failed regeneration attempt by Acorn Property Group, which collapsed in July 2024. Despite high hopes, a local Conservative councillor recently highlighted that the sale remains incomplete, expressing concern over the lack of visible progress and increasing frustration among Frome residents.
The current Liberal Democrat administration confirmed that negotiations with Mayday Saxonvale are still ongoing. They indicated that funding challenges may be hampering the group’s ability to finalize the purchase.
READ MORE: New North Somerset Three-Weekly Bin Collections Prove Successful
READ MORE: Somerset Bus Services Updated with New Stops and Revised Schedules
Councillor Dawn Denton, representing Frome North, raised concerns at the full council meeting on July 16 in Bridgwater. She remarked, “It has been almost a year since Mayday received the green light for the Saxonvale proposal, yet residents are yet to see meaningful progress.”
She questioned the council’s tolerance of delays, stating, “While terms like ‘ongoing negotiations’ and ‘complex processes’ are often cited, why is Mayday still granted extensive leeway despite missed milestones and growing public frustration? How does this align with the council’s responsibility to manage public land transparently and in the interests of taxpayers?”
Following Acorn’s withdrawal, Mayday Saxonvale was the sole party left able to develop the site. However, formal agreement to proceed with Mayday’s plans was only reached in late January after further due diligence.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning, and assets, acknowledged the delays: “Although not quite twelve months as mentioned, the executive shares your frustration with the ongoing hold-up. We value the community’s patience and remain dedicated to delivering a development that Frome can be proud of.”
He added that a draft sale contract was issued on February 28 with an anticipated closing date of March 31, but negotiations have been complex. “Disappointingly, the purchaser has yet to provide concrete proof of funding required to complete the purchase,” Rigby said. “We are committed to ensuring public land is responsibly managed to deliver lasting community value.”
Mayday’s proposal stands out because it plans to reinvest profits back into the development, offering community benefits that traditional developments may not achieve.
On the day of the council meeting, planning officers met with Mayday representatives to explore alternative funding options to keep the project moving forward.
Rigby emphasized, “This offer remains the best option for the council, taxpayers, and residents. We continue talks in hopes of completing the sale and are working to balance timely delivery with getting it right.”
He noted that while alternative funding solutions are being considered, officers have also been directed to prepare contingency plans should the sale fail. Any new proposals or decisions to pursue a different disposal route will require executive committee approval.