Frome residents were left jumping for joy on Thursday afternoon (January 23) after a major regeneration scheme in their town centre was given the green light.

At a special meeting of its executive committee, Somerset Council agreed to sell the Saxonvale brownfield to Mayday Saxonvale, which aims to deliver much-needed low-cost homes, commercial space and new leisure facilities on the site.

The decision brings to an end decades of uncertainty surrounding the site and months of feverish discussions after a previous attempt to regenerate the site fell through in the summer.

The sale will be finalised by the end of March, allowing work to begin on the initial stages of the regeneration by Christmas.

Here's everything you need to know:

How did we get to this point?

The Saxonvale site lies in the heart of Frome town centre, being bordered by the River Frome to the north, the Merchant's Barton car park to the west, the existing properties on Vicarage Street to the south and the town's Lidl store to the east.

The 12-acre site is currently sealed off to the public, but has road access leading into it from two sides: Garsdale to the east and Saxonvale itself to the west (near the Silk Mill Studios).

Saxonvale was purchased by Mendip District Council in 2018 and is allocated within the Mendip Local Plan Part II to deliver a minimum of 250 homes along with commercial space and additional town centre car parking.

The council secured around £3.9m of funding from Homes England to clear the site for development – of which around £3.6m was successfully spent the end of March 2023 (with the rest not being drawn down from the government).

Two rival schemes were put forward to redevelop the site – a housing-driven scheme from the Bristol-based Acorn Property Group, and a more mixed used development from the locally-based Mayday Saxonvale.

Following numerous planning meetings and a judicial review, the council's executive committee voted in July 2024 that Acorn's scheme should proceed – only for Acorn to pull out less than 24 hours later.

Since this turn of events, Mayday Saxonvale have held "positive discussions" with the council about bringing its vision to fruition, culminating in the executive meeting in Frome Town Hall on Thursday afternoon (January 23).

What will the Mayday Saxonvale scheme deliver?

The Mayday Saxonvale bid includes the following elements:

• 263 homes, of which at least 30 per cent will be affordable (with a stretch target of 50 per cent)
• At least 10,000 sq m of commercial and community space, including an enterprise centre and a "community kitchen"
• A cultural centre within the 'western warehouse'
• A riverside park and children's play area
• Improved cycle links between the site and Vicarage Street
• The realignment of the A362 Garsdale roundabout and £246,000 towards improving the Gorehedge junction
• New public open spaces
• A hotel and spa
• A lido
• Nearly £828,000 for improving local schools

Under the terms of the Homes England grant secured in 2018, the site must deliver at least 249 homes built with "modern methods of construction", of which at least 25 per cent must be affordable.

If these terms cannot be met, the council would be liable to return part or all of the £3.6m which had been spent on clearing the site.

Adam Savery, the council's lead officer for strategic asset management, estates strategy and development, said that Homes England was "very comfortable" with the proposals – but acknowledged approving the sale would be "a leap of faith", given Mayday's lack of development experience.

Why didn't Mayday Saxonvale get the green light as soon as Acorn pulled out?

There are very strict procedures that have to be followed whenever a council tries to sell off public assets, including land and property.

Under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, the council must secure "best value" during any sale of land and property – meaning it cannot just sell a piece of land off because a given scheme is popular with local people.

Rather than Mayday Saxonvale being awarded the contract by default after Acorn's withdrawal, the team has been negotiating with Somerset Council in the last six months to ensure that "best value" can be secured – not just the best price for the land, but also that the scheme delivers the greatest possible boost for the community.

To this end, Mayday Saxonvale has put forward new governance models (showing how the development will be managed), as well as providing details of how the site purchase will be funded and how the development will remain viable as the construction progresses.

In a presentation to the committee, Mayday director Paul Oster said: "We believe passionately that the people of Frome are best placed to direct the design of a development in Saxonvale."

He added that all development would be delivered "within viability constraints" (meaning that more homes could be delivered if commercial premises proved unsustainable), but stressed that the scheme "must start with the highest level of ambition" to deliver local employment.

He concluded: "Our model provides greater resilience and is lower risk than a standard developer. We will not race through this development without sufficient care – we have room for manoeuvre.

"We want to put Frome first at every stage. We are setting a precedent for towns across the UK, allowing towns to take charge of their own destinies."

What did local people say?

Numerous town councillors and local residents spoke at the executive meeting at Frome Town Hall, urging the council to push forward with Mayday Saxonvale's vision for the long-vacant site.

Town councillor Anita Collier said: "Like many residents in the town, I am excited at the prospect that this is seriously being considered today, and all of

Mayday's aspirations will come to fruition.

"They will built the right kind of housing, the right kind of commercial space, and deliver innovative projects. The scheme will go a long way to regenerating the town centre.

"This is a hugely important town space, and I don't think it's any exaggeration to say that this decision today will allow Frome to fly boldly into the future, a feather in Somerset's cap.

"Mayday truly has the town's interests in heart and will continue to invest in its prosperity. This will be the biggest and best thing to happen to this town for decades – grant us the change to watch this pivotal area thrive."

Dr Patricia Smith from the Frome & District Civic Society said: "We need to realise the unfulfilled potential of these 12 acres at the heart of our town. After six years in possession, Somerset Council has had a fair crack of the whip.

"Plans contingent on maximising financial returns have consistently failed to deliver an acceptable mix of development for this town centre site. Mayday Saxonvale brings a different perspective, seeking optimum rather than maximum returns."

"We can look forward to the delivery of genuinely affordable homes and commercial space. Mayday's partnership model is unconventional, but it is credible and transparent."

Frome and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine – who was elected mere weeks before the July executive meeting – said the development of this site would play a vital part in easing the town's housing crisis.

She said: "I'm here to represent the many people I know through my surgeries who are in dire housing need. This site has benefited from Homes England

funding for that reason.

"I'm really glad we've got to this point, where the hopes and aspirations of the community can finally be delivered. The plans for Saxonvale are very ambitious, and I hope they succeed."

What did the council say?

Numerous executive members welcomed the amended Mayday proposals – with some being more enthusiastic than others.

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said he was concerned about the risks to the council if the required level of affordable housing could not be delivered.

He said: "We will be reliant on Mayday Saxonvale to meet the terms of the

Homes England grant, or we will be liable for three quarters of the capital receipt.

"I think there is much good to say about the plan, but these issues due concern me."

Councillor Sarah Wakefield, portfolio holder for adult services, housing and homelessness, welcomed the proposals but raised concerns about how quickly the site could be redeveloped, given its challenging terrain and location.

She said: "I'm worried people don't get how much work is needed on the site just to get started.

"I'm very proud of what's being done, and I think it's fantastic – but I looked around the town and I was horrified, frankly.

"We can safely say Mayday Saxonvale are going into this with their eyes open about the challenges."

Numerous Frome division members urged the council to push forward with the proposals, citing the lack of any viable alternative.

Councillor Michael Dunk said the town "had a lucky escape" when Acorn pulled out, adding: "There are risks with any development, and we've got some very good people here.

"It's an unusual scheme, but the benefits for Somerset are too good to ignore."

Councillor Adam Boyden, added: "This site has been an issue since way before I came here – and finally we have a recommendation to sell the site. Several developers have come and gone due to viability concerns.

"Mayday Saxonvale has a huge community following in Frome. It's unprecedented – they've fought for this for years.

"It's a good deal for Somerset Council, and the risks of not doing this are a lot higher."

What did the executive decide?

Following nearly three hours of debate – most of which took place in confidential session due to commercial sensitivity – the executive voted in favour of selling the site to Mayday Saxonvale.

Council leader Bill Revans said: "We have to think about what is right for all the people in Somerset, not just in Frome. For us, the biggest risk is that the site would remain undeveloped.

"We recognise how ambitious and exciting the Mayday Saxonvale plans are, and the tenacity they have shown. The developers convinced us that they have a business plan that will deliver for the people of Frome.

"Their proposals are innovative and exciting, and we look forward to seeing what happens next."

Councillor Steve Tanner, who chairs Frome Town Council's planning committee, said he was "absolutely delighted" with the decision, calling it "a momentous day for Frome".

He elaborated: "Frome Town Council has been steadfast in its support of this project, and I am particularly pleased to see Somerset Council make this important decision right here at Frome Town Hall.

"We will, of course, continue to work with Mayday through the planning process.

"Ultimately this demonstrates exactly what local government should be – responsive, forward-thinking, and rooted in the communities it serves."

Following the meeting, Mayday Saxonvale director Damon Moore said: "We've spent years imagining this moment and now here we are. It's a bit unreal, but we're just delighted.

"This is a community saying 'yes' to development. So many 'cookie cutter' developments come forward, like with Saxonvale, that are objected to by communities, because they don't deliver what they need.

"Frome's got a good track record of being quite rebellious and pushing against conventions. This is a completely different model in the sense that it's community-driven but with a team of professional professionals alongside us – so we've got the local knowledge but with professionals that can deliver it.

"We recognise that the Saxonvale site is fundamental to Frome's future, and with community input, we can make sure the development delivers the best possible outcomes for the community now and for generations to come.

"Our aim is to transform Saxonvale into a mixed-use urban regeneration project that puts Frome first at every stage. New entrepreneurial, flexible business space, will help ensure the long-term survival of our town centre.

"The future impact on Frome is central to all our thinking, and our plan will enhance the future resilience of Frome through community ownership.

"This will be the largest community-led development in the UK, leading to the complete revitalisation of the town. Other towns are watching our progress and our goal is to create a blueprint for future developments of this kind to be realised.

"We thank and recognise Somerset Council for making a bold move to sell us the site in this is a landmark decision."

What happens next?

The council will officially complete the sale of the Saxonvale site to Mayday Saxonvale by March 31 – ensuring that the proceeds of the sale can go towards balancing its annual budget.

Mayday Saxonvale's purchase of the site will be funded by Kiss House, which will be working with the Frome Area Community Land Trust and Stories (the team behind the regeneration of London King's Cross railway station) to drive forward the build.

Mike Jacob, director of Kiss House, said: "Our joint venture with Mayday Saxonvale will lead the way with a new approach to sustainable development at scale.

"This project will be the first of many by Kiss House to demonstrate what is possible in achieving low carbon developments in the UK."

The homes will be built via a new delivery company (working with the aforementioned partners), with applications for new directors being opened within the coming days.

Detailed plans for the Mayday scheme will come forward for public consultation in the following months, with these plans expected to be approved by the end of the year.

Mr Oster said that his team would be "exploring 'meanwhile uses' of the site before development begins" – meaning that, like the Glovers Walk shopping centre in Yeovil, a temporary community use could be found for the site before the first homes are delivered.