Somerset Council will sell land earmarked for rejuvenation to Mayday Saxonvale Development Ltd after a property company pulled out at the eleventh hour.

An officer’s report has recommended the unconditional sale of the 12-acre Saxonvale site in Frome to Mayday Saxonvale Development Limited ahead of an upcoming council executive meeting.

The decision follows the withdrawal of a previous offer from Acorn Group in July 2024, which said it was pulling out because of the perception people of the town did not want to work with the group.

The council then entered negotiations with Mayday Saxonvale Development Limited and has now received a proposal for a sale, which will be considered on Thursday (January 23).

Damon Moore, director at Mayday Saxonvale Development, said: “We have been in positive talks with Somerset Council since September and are thrilled to hear officers have now recommended the sale to us. We now look forward to the meeting of the council executive and hope they make the right decision for the future of Frome.

“We have been working toward this moment for nearly six years, it will be an incredible moment for us and our town. Community-led development is still relatively new in the UK, and this development could lead the way forward as a blueprint for other developments of its kind across the UK. It really will be a landmark decision for the council.”

The executive will be asked to review the options and consider the updated proposal from Mayday Saxonvale Development Limited with a view to a sale before March 31. The sale would generate a capital receipt for the council and savings in revenue expenditure.

The meeting can be attended in person at Frome Town Hall, where members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings.

Alternatively, those unable to attend in person can watch the meeting online. Full details and a link to the livestream are available here: https://somerset.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=213&MId=7556&Ver=4&mc_cid=23460325f0&mc_eid=UNIQID.