Mayday Saxonvale Campaign

With the welcome of spring, over 200 people sang at dawn (6 am) in a traditional May Day chorus on the Saxonvale site in Frome.

This 500-year-old tradition represents new beginnings and renewal, echoing what is hoped for from the people of Frome for the Mayday Saxonvale alternative plan for Frome’s town centre. 

With over 500 people in attendance, on the first day of May, we created the biggest hug to ever take place in Frome!

From the bottom of the site by Merchants’ Barton carpark, up and around Vicarage Street, and down to the bottom of Garsdale. Huggers formed a human chain around the neglected Saxonvale site – and gave it a “Big Mayday Hug”!

We ran two public events at Frome Town Hall and online.

The events shared a deeper insight into our approach and the outcomes we aim to achieve for our community in Saxonvale.

‘Community Owned’ Vision 

We share our vision for the community owned spaces and buildings in Saxonvale. We are bringing this participatory plan to life, and presenting some initial proposals.

Speakers included:

• Doug Stewart- Edventure
• Tom Spencer – Terrestrial
• Hugh Thomas – Frome Food Network
• Caroline Wajsblum – Frome Field to Fork
• Louis Schultz – Assemble
• Jonny Buckland – Studio Saar Architects
• Simon Brown – Landstory Landscape Architects

‘Community Design’ Vision

Presentation of a design update to our community-centric ideas, including an alternative to a bridge over Willow Vale. There are also further details about an energy microgrid, community gardens, and additional housing. We delve into our alternative approach to development and how it will enable us to ensure the maximum return for our community of Frome in Saxonvale. 

Speakers included:

• Paul Clark – Stories
• Jonny Buckland – Studio Saar Architects
• Andrew Kirby – Andrew Kirby Architects
• Jake Burnyeat – Communities for Renewables CIC

Acorn’s Saxonvale Planning Consent Quashed By High Court Judge

A high court judge has upheld the judicial review challenge to Mendip District Council’s Planning Board’s decision to approve Acorn Property Group’s Outline Planning Application for #Saxonvale. The challenge centred on the misrepresentation of local planning policy, which directed that a required level of employment space be provided within the Saxonvale site in #Frome. Supported by Frome’s community via funding on Crowd Justice.

The future of Frome is hanging in the balance.

It finds itself at a crossroads. After losing employment site, after employment site, Saxonvale is the last chance to expand the town centre and generate the jobs that we need.

What happens in Saxonvale will set Frome’s course for generations to come.

Over 1,200 people signed our declaration to Somerset Council to fairly compare and contrast the two plans.

Over 500 people emailed members of the council’s Asset Management Group to ask for them not to sign the agreement.

A week after Mayday Saxonvale were given planning permission, Mendip District Council responded by putting the Acorn S106 agreement (the final agreement that gives the green light to works) on the agenda of Mendip District Council’s Asset Management Group

Dream Big

We asked local councillors, business owners and stakeholders, “What would the Mayday Saxonvale Development mean to you?”

An afternoon of community-spirited fun at the Silk Mill Gallery.

The premiere of Ex BBC News reporter and Frome local, Freddie Rostand’s short investigative film on what’s really going on at Saxonvale, and what it might mean for the future of Frome.

A presentation on current progress with a Q&A, food, drinks, and much more!