Frome residents are being asked for their views on a planned riverside park as part of a major town centre regeneration scheme.

The Saxonvale site is one of the last vacant land parcels within Frome town centre, with efforts being made to deliver new homes and commercial space as well as a range of other facilities.

Two rivalling proposals for the site have been granted planning permission – a scheme for 300 homes and commercial space, put forward by the Acorn Property Group, and a scheme for 182 homes, a lido and an arts venue, presented by Mayday Saxonvale.

Acorn is now inviting the public to give their thoughts on the communal green space which will be secured at the northern edge of the site, ahead of a formal planning application being submitted.

Under the proposals, the northern edge of the Saxonvale site will be turned into a riverside park with a children's play area and a footbridge over the River Frome.

This footbridge is designed to link the site to both the existing homes on Willow Vale and the riverside walk which leads through Rodden Meadow towards the town's railway station.

A spokesman for Acorn said: "This detailed planning application is for the riverside park, footbridge and new children's play area. The remainder of the site (commercial space and homes) will be brought forward for consultation later this year.

"The new park will be key to the vibrancy of this important development. As a local resident, we would like you to play a key part in what the park will look like and how it will be used."

Mendip District Council's cabinet voted in July 2021 to provide £175,000 of public money to speed up further planning applications within the Saxonvale site, including plans for the bridge, while the area was being cleared using Homes England funding.

Somerset Council (which replaced the district council on April 1) currently faces a legal challenge from Mayday Saxonvale, whose members contend the council was in breach of its own policies by allowing a smaller number of affordable homes to be approved for the site along with a smaller employment allocation.

Permission for a judicial review was granted by the High Court in February, but a date for the hearing has yet to be announced.

The Acorn consultation event will be held in the Frome Town Council chamber off the A362 Christchurch Street West on Thursday, May 25 between 3pm and 7pm.

Those who are unable to attend in person will able to give their feedback online by visiting www.saxonvaleredevelopment.org.