Council to vote on new sale of derelict site

The social enterprise group had been given "exclusivity status" to buy the Saxonvale site

A council has confirmed it will vote to decide whether a derelict site earmarked for redevelopment by a social enterprise will be put back on the market.

Somerset Council agreed to sell the Saxonvale brownfield site in Frome to the Mayday Saxonvale group in January, with the hope it would deliver low-cost homes, commercial space and leisure facilities.

The plans are now in doubt, with the community group so far unable to raise the funds to officially purchase the site.

The council said the social enterprise had been given "every opportunity" to prove they could buy the land. Mayday acknowledged it had experienced "delays in funding" but said it had agreed alternative funding.

The 12-acre site has been empty for decades, with Mayday's plans set to include proposals for 260 news homes and a community lido.

But Somerset Council said the social enterprise may now lose its "exclusivity status" in Saxonvale's future should councillors be "minded to consider alternative routes".

Council leader Bill Revans said the situation was "frustrating" and that the authority needed to ensure "good value for the benefit of the taxpayers".

Mayday said they had put for a "revised offer" and provided Somerset Council with "a meaningful downpayment and security for the remainder".

The council had hoped the sale of the site would have been completed by March 2025

The council had hoped to complete the sale of the site to Mayday Saxonvale by March 2025 but has since spoken openly of its frustration over delays.

Cllr Mike Rigby, Lead Member for Economic Development Planning and Assets, said: "We have given Mayday Saxonvale Development Ltd every opportunity to provide tangible proof of funds and present a meaningful timeframe.

"Neither have materialised, despite several meetings and many promises – going back to July 2024. The council has no choice but to revisit its options," he added.

Mayday warned against opening the site back up to private investment, claiming a previously-contracted developer had not started work after six years and "there is every risk that this will happen again".

The council will hold an extraordinary meeting in the town to decide on the future of the site's ownership on 24 October.