Bidder for town centre regeneration site pulls out

The two competitors, Mayday Saxonvale and Acorn Property Group, both put bids in to transform the major 12-acre regeneration site back in May

Less than 24 hours after being chosen to redevelop a key 12-acre site in Frome, the winning bidder pulled out.

Bristol-based Acorn Property Group's bosses said they were abandoning plans for the Saxonvale site because "the local community does not wish to work" with them.

Somerset Council announced on Wednesday that Acorn's bid had been accepted over Mayday Saxonvale's proposals.

Leader of Somerset Council, Bill Revans, said he was "flabbergasted" by Acorn's decision to withdraw and says the authority is "not back to square one" but will "once again" have to go through the legal process of deciding.

The council is selling the land, which lies in the heart of the town centre, in a bid to help balance its budget, after declaring a "financial emergency" in November 2023.

Reacting to Acorn's decision to withdraw, Councillor Bill Revans, Liberal Democrat leader at Somerset Council, said he was "astonished" at what had happened.

"I am absolutely flabbergasted by the decision of Acorn to withdraw, after going through a very difficult meeting in which we had a huge range of considerations to reach a decision," he said.

"This is absolutely astonishing."

He added that the site had to be developed and that it was the right thing to do for the community.

"It's also what's right for the council tax payers of Somerset who own this site at the moment."

Councillor Bill Revans says the authority was very aware that the people in Frome were disappointed

After months of consideration, the councillor said the "difficult decision" took six hours for the authority to choose Acorn Property Group to develop the site.

Mr Revans said: "I am also flabbergasted that Acorn haven't appreciated the passion and emotional support for the Mayday scheme within the community.

"They have been involved in the scheme for some considerable time and I don't think there was anything that could have surprised them in the meeting on Wednesday."

According to Mr Revans, the Mayday proposal is "still on the table" but is not the only option - he says no decisions will be made immediately.

'Take stock'

Previously, Mr Revans had said Acorn bid was the "most viable way to redevelop the site in a timely way".

The authority now plans to take stock and look at "what's best" for Somerset Council tax payers and the residents of Frome.

Paul Oster from Mayday Saxonvale said: “We're obviously delighted Acorn have listened and pulled out. We are waiting to hear from Somerset Council in terms of next steps.”

The land owned by Somerset Council has faced a series of setbacks, including an intervention from the High Court.

The plans put forward by Mayday Saxonvale involved more community space, a park, a hotel and a lido

As well as building 300 homes, Acorn's plans also included 65,000sq ft (6,038 sq m) of commercial space, a children's park, and a promise of £2m for local schools and road improvements.

The remaining competitor, not-for-profit social enterprise Mayday Saxonvale, proposed to build 263 homes, of which at least 30% would be affordable - with a target of 50%.

They also planned to build more commercial and community space - at least 107,639sq ft (10,000 sq m) - and were offering around £800,000 for local schools.

When Acorn was selected, Mayday Saxonvale director Paul Oster said he was "incredibly disappointed" to miss out.

Liberal Democrat MP, Anna Sabine, says she welcomes a decisive action from Acorn Property Group following their withdrawal

Anna Sabine, Frome and East Somerset MP, said she hoped that there was "still an option" for the Mayday Saxonvale vision to become a reality. 

"I will do everything I can to help take this forwards in the interests of Frome" she added.

Acorn Property Group said it wished Frome and the local community the "best of luck" in developing "this wonderful site" in whatever way they choose to go forward.