Mendip District Council can finally begin work on its flagship regeneration scheme after plans to redevelop a derelict site in Frome were approved.

The council purchased the long-vacant Saxonvale site in August 2018, and has been working with the Acorn Property Group to regenerate it in a way which boosts the town centre.

The developer put forward outline plans for 300 homes, commercial units and public open space in May 2019, which met with a largely negative reaction from Frome residents.

But the council can now push forward with the scheme after its planning board voted to grant approval after a long debate on Thursday evening (January 28).

Here's your guide to how the meeting played out, and what happens next:

What is the Saxonvale scheme?

The Saxonvale site lies on the River Frome to the east of the town's Marks and Spencer store, and includes a large number of disused industrial buildings.

Under the council's proposals, up to 300 homes will be delivered on the site, of which at least 22.5 per cent (67 properties) will be affordable – though this could rise to 24 per cent (72 properties) if further negotiations with the developer prove fruitful.

Homes England has offered the council a grant of up to £3.95M to assist in the delivery of this lower cost housing.

Up to 45,000 sq ft of commercial space will be set aside, housing purpose-built retail units, independent cafes and restaurants, and a co-working area.

Acorn hopes that this section of the site – together with the 'western warehouse', which will become an arts and heritage centre – could create up to 350 new local jobs.

The site will also include a new riverside café and park with play equipment, open grassland near the River Frome, and a public square designed to host markets, entertainment events and sports competitions.

The site will be connected to the town centre via new pedestrian and cycle paths, with a new bridge linking it up to Rodden Meadow.

The main access route will be from Garsdale, with the possibility of part of Vicarage Street being pedestrianised.

Why are people opposed to the scheme?

More than 250 objections to the scheme were lodged on the council's planning portal – but due to time restrictions in the constitution, only a handful of objectors were able to address the planning board.

Andrew Pope, leader of the Somerset Independents group, said the site needed to be redeveloped but described the application as "deeply flawed".

He elaborated: "If Saxonvale had been sorted years ago, there would have been no need for Mendip to build on Easthill.

"The development should be refused because it is over-development, containing too many tall buildings. It lacks sufficient green space, impacts on the local school and will make traffic worse."

Andy Jones, vice-chairman of Fair Housing for Frome, criticised the council for not enforcing its own policy of 30 per cent of all new homes on major developments being affordable.

He said: "Yes, brownfield sites are often fraught with issues, and there is demolition to consider, but this is a prime location with scope for significant profit.

"What's required at Saxonvale is a sustainable and flexible development that meets the real needs of the town in the coming decades, not a get rich quick scheme that perpetuates the mistakes of the last century."

Neil Howlett from the Frome Chamber of Commerce said more of the site needed to be dedicated to commercial or employment use to ensure the council could meet local needs.

He said: "The question is whether the council is a commercial developer maximising profit, or a local authority acting in the interests of Frome, its businesses and its people."

Is anyone in favour?

Edward Nash from the Nash Partnership said the site was designed to respond to the climate emergency, with 'work/live units' being provided to reduce commuting.

He said: "This scheme seeks to change conventional views about living in one place and working in another."

Gavin Eddy, who runs the Forward Space facility at The Old Church School, said that demand for employment space in the town was changing, especially in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

He said: "We've been based in Frome for more than 13 years. In that time we've seen significant changes in demand for workspace in the town – it's become a highly desirable destination for business.

"We are in active dialogue with Acorn to take 25,000 sq ft of space in Saxonvale. We anticipate this workspace would support around 350 jobs in SME businesses. Our clients want to be able to walk to work and pop out to lunch."

What did the councillors say?

Several councillors spoke openly against the plans – including both Green Party member for the Frome Market ward which contains the Saxonvale site.

Councillor John Clarke praised the council's "bold" decision to purchase the site, but said the current designs were not in keeping with the town centre.

He said: "We need to see a development which reflects the heritage and the needs of Frome, and provides an asset for the whole community. This is too high density.

"The dominance of apartments is significantly different to the town centre – it will create narrow, light-restricted walkways.

"This is still very focused on car use. Why can't we see the existing car park being reduced to encourage walking and cycling into the town? Let's be bold here."

Councillor Michael Dunk added: "Is it too reliant on apartment living? Probably yes. Covid-19 has demonstrated how vital even small gardens can be to maintain well-being.

"Buying property in Frome is out of reach for many people due to rising prices – it's a national crisis."

Councillor Lindsay Macdougall called for the plans to be deferred until the alternative Mayday Saxonvale proposals had been formally submitted.

She said: "I believe this project is based evolving organically with full community support. The answer is not to support a 'make-do' scheme – once it's built, it will be there for generations."

However, there was a consensus among other councillors that the scheme, while imperfect, was a big improvement on previous efforts to redevelop the site and would prove beneficial to the town.

Councillor Drew Gardner (Frome College ward) said: "Every day I leave my office, which is 150 metres from the site, and I look across and see it undeveloped.

"I don't see an undeveloped site – I see potential and possibilities. Is it perfect? Of course not – but if we wait for a perfect development on contaminated land, we won't get it for a very long time."

Councillor Eve Berry (Frome Berkley Down) questioned whether the number of objectors was truly representative of the town's residents, arguing that some form of development was better than leaving the site vacant.

She said: "I realise there are around 250 very vocal objectors, but we must also recognise that around 26,750 of the Frome population haven't expressed an opinion on the proposals, with many of them just hoping something will happen this time after previous failed attempts.

"There is always compromise in life. Something needs to happen on the site, and it needs to move forward."

Councillor Garfield Kennedy (Shepton East) added: "We are in danger here of the perfect being the enemy of the good. Leaving it as a derelict site for another 10 years is just not acceptable."

After around three-and-a-half hours of debate, the board voted to approve the Saxonvale plans by a margin of 11 votes to three.

What happens next?

Following the planning board's decision, the council issued a statement welcoming the news, with council leader Ros Wyke describing it as "a positive next step for Frome."

She said: "This exemplary development will deliver a mixed-use community, with flexible commercial units, high-quality public realm, open space, and homes for all ages.

"I look forward to witnessing the thriving post-covid regeneration of this popular town."

Councillor Barry O'Leary, portfolio holder for enterprise and finance, added: "Saxonvale supports the delivery of our key priorities on affordable housing and enhancing our towns.

"It's an exciting, quality development, within walking distance to the town. It's modern and vibrant, yet sympathetic to the history of the site.

"I believe this is the fairest, most sustainable, most innovative town centre development to come to Somerset. I'm proud to have chaired the project board – delivering far more social housing than was speculated – and with walking and cycling at its heart.

"This is great news for the people of Frome, the district, the economy and environment. Instead of a stalled site, we will have sustainability and bloom."

A reserved matters application, detailing the layout and design of the houses, will be submitted later in the year.