Frome residents will be able to have their say on an alternative vision for the Saxonvale site ahead of rival plans being submitted.

Mendip District Council, which owns the town centre brownfield site, granted permission to the Acorn Property Group to build 300 new homes and commercial outlets there in January.

Mayday Saxonvale, a local campaign group, is putting forward an alternative vision for the site, promising more affordable housing along with a new site for St John's C of E First School, commercial space and a new lido.

The group will hold a public consultation on Friday and Saturday (May 14-15) before submitting a formal planning application to the council in June.

Andrew Kirby, the architect behind the new masterplan, will be available at the consultation event to field questions from local residents.

He said: "We believe that real 'place-making' comes from communities, not blanket developments.

"There is an alternative plan for Saxonvale, which we believe should be for the community. Being able to meet and discuss our alternative plan for Saxonvale, will help us shape the final masterplan.

"Our alternative plan will provide a transformative level of sustainable homes, public realm and commercial space to generate jobs and affordable living in Frome town centre.

"As a not-for-profit organisation, keeping all profits within the site, Frome will benefit from a wide range of community facilities, including a new site for St. John's School, a public riverside lido, playpark, and a central square to create a truly 'place-making' extension to the town centre."

Of the new homes expected to be delivered, Mayday Saxonvale claims at least 40 per cent will be affordable – far above the minumum level set within the council's Local Plan.

Mayday Saxonvale director Paul Oster said: "The Acorn Property Group is yet to be awarded full planning consent for the site, and their plan fundamentally fails to deliver the council's own plan for the commercial space and affordable housing that Frome needs.

"Acorn's plan offers a minimal provision of commercial space, far below what is required for the site and the town centre to generate jobs in Frome.

"Saxonvale is our last opportunity to develop employment opportunities in the town centre. We do not expect that such a non-compliant plan will ultimately be implemented.

"Mayday Saxonvale is now in a position to submit full outline planning permission, and to therefore provide Frome and the council with a fully viable alternative to the Acorn scheme. We want to ensure Frome can have the Saxonvale development it deserves."

Mendip District Council said the Acorn scheme which was approved in January would deliver 24 per cent affordable, not 21.5 per cent as claimed by the Mayday Saxonvale campaigners.

A spokesman added: "We have no further comment on this from a local planning authority point of view."

The Mayday Saxonvale public consultation will take place at the Silk Milk on Merchants Barton in Frome on Friday (May 14) from 2-7pm and on Saturday (May 15) between 10am and 4pm. For more information visit www.maydaysaxonvale.co.uk.