Those who oppose the current Saxonvale proposals for the redevelopment of the centre of Frome have asked that the Town Council have an open mind about their alternative proposals.

In an open appeal to the council they write:

"The AK.A plan is not-for-profit, viable and will deliver the community, affordable housing and economic imperatives of our local planning policies in full. If the District Council annul the contract with Acorn and agree a conditional option on the site at developed value, the Silk Mill is ready and willing to fund a full planning application based on this draft masterplan proposal.

We hope the Town Council will adopt an open mind regarding this very worthwhile initiative and are calling for our District Councillors to disengage with Acorn's anti-democratic application. "

The group has put across a whole site draft master plan as seen above.

They write : Now that all sectional sketches have been completed, the AK.A Mayday alternative masterplan for Saxonvale may now be assembled. If the District Council annul the contract with Acorn and agree a conditional option on the site at developed value, we are prepared to fund a full planning application based on this draft masterplan proposal.

"Given the failure of national house builders and the wide-spread scepticism that they will ever make good on S106 & community infrastructure obligations, I think that community-led development offers the only ray of hope.

"There is no reason why communities should not take the lead in these scenarios either in partnership with house builders or by forming their own not-for-profit development companies giving them a competitive advantage. We hope the Mayday alternative masterplan can provide a template for the town in our ability to fend off inappropriate redevelopment whilst meeting new home quotas and planning targets."

The master plan for derelict Saxonvale divides the area adjacent to the carpark in the heart of Frome into a series of 'quarters' which they say will " retain the industrial identity of the site and re purposing buildings to boost Frome's independent and entrepreneurial character. "