This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/01/somerset-council-community-led-regeneration-project-saxonvale-frome

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Somerset council under fire for rejecting community-led regeneration project Somerset council under fire for rejecting community-led regeneration project
(about 5 hours later)
Residents criticise leaders after they choose commercial developer for 12-acre brownfield Saxonvale site in FromeResidents criticise leaders after they choose commercial developer for 12-acre brownfield Saxonvale site in Frome
Council leaders have been heavily criticised for rejecting what was billed as the UK’s largest community-led regeneration project in what is regarded as one of England’s most progressive towns. A residential developer has unexpectedly pulled out of a controversial regeneration project in one of England’s most progressive towns after an outcry from local people.
Rather than selling a key 12-acre brownfield site in Frome to a not-for-profit social enterprise that planned a large number of affordable homes, extensive workspaces and a lido, Somerset council accepted a higher bid from an outside developer that specialises in residential projects. Somerset council leaders had faced heavy criticism after agreeing to sell a 12-acre brownfield site called Saxonvale in the town of Frome to the Acorn Property Group.
A tense six-hour meeting of Somerset’s executive at Frome town hall ended in tears and acrimony on Wednesday evening, with residents accusing the Liberal Democrat-led authority of putting money before the chance to back an “exemplar” project at the Saxonvale site. But less than 24 hours after the decision, Acorn announced it was dropping out because the people of Frome had made it clear they didn’t want to work with it.
The not-for-profit Mayday Saxonvale scheme included plans for 263 homes with at least 30%, and possibly more than 50%, being affordable. It wanted to provide more than 10,000 sq metres of employment space, a boutique hotel, lido, two public squares and a community kitchen, with the site remaining in community ownership. The move may clear the way for a not-for-profit project called Mayday Saxonvale run by a social enterprise to buy the site. It wants to build a large number of affordable homes, extensive workspaces and a lido in what is being billed as the largest community-led development in the UK.
Its rival, Acorn Property Group, proposed 300 homes with 160 being affordable, and employment space about half the size of that proposed by Mayday for the former factories site, which has been derelict for more than a quarter of a century. Acorn was clearly stung by the reaction to its successful bid on Wednesday night. Residents criticised the council’s executive for plumping for the company, claiming they had chased the money, and expressed concern they would be left with a “cookie-cutter” housing development at the heart of their bohemian town.
Despite significant support in the town for Mayday, Somerset council voted to sell to Acorn, arguing that it meant building work would start quicker. In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, it said: “Acorn Property Group prides itself in working with local communities to provide much needed regeneration through residential-led schemes.
Paul Oster, the director of Mayday Saxonvale, said he believed the council had decided to sell to Acorn simply because it had offered more money. “They [Acorn] will protect their profit margins and the scheme will be eroded,” Oster claimed. “It has become abundantly clear that in this case, despite our best endeavours to work with all the stakeholders, the local community does not wish to work with Acorn and on that basis we have decided to withdraw from the process.
He said the only way to develop a site like Saxonvale meaningfully, rather than create a “cookie-cutter development”, was to co-design it with those who knew and understood the place and its history. “Acorn wishes Frome and the local community the best of luck going forward in developing this wonderful site in whatever way they choose to take the matter forward”.
Kate Moore, who runs an artists’ studio and gallery on the edge of the Saxonvale site and was in tears at the decision, said: “It doesn’t make sense. I’m shocked that our democratic system can produce a result of this kind. We had a real vision that could have changed the way we did things in this country.” Mayday Saxonvale and Acorn have been vying to buy the land, a former factories site derelict for more than a quarter of a century, from Somerset council.
Emily Saner, a retired school teacher, said: “When profit is the only motivation for development, there are significant losers. In the case of Saxonvale, the losers will be the people of Somerset.” Acorn had proposed 300 homes, with 160 being affordable, and employment space about half the size of that proposed by Mayday.
During the meeting, Acorn said it would work with the residents, and rejected the notion it would create a “cookie cutter” development, insisting it would build “individually designed” homes. The Mayday Saxonvale scheme included plans for 263 homes with at least 30%, and possibly more than 50%, being affordable. It wanted to provide more than 10,000 sq metres of employment space, a boutique hotel, lido, two public squares and a community kitchen, with the site remaining in community ownership.
All the residents who spoke at the meeting supported Saxonvale. The town councillor Anita Collier, who has lived in Frome for 60 years, said she remembered the Saxonvale site when it was a vibrant place, alive with various industries. After Acorn’s announcement on Thursday, Damon Moore, a director of Mayday, said: “We’ve got our future back. It’s extraordinary.”
“It was not just a series of busy factories, it was a place where workers shared a community that was a major part of Frome,” she said. “The workers there contributed to the use of the facilities within the town for shopping, lunch breaks and for enjoyment. It was a lively community in its own right, but with huge links across the whole town.” He said he hoped the council would sell the site to Mayday, adding: “There’s no other candidate now.”
His wife, Kate Moore, who runs an artists’ studio and gallery on the Saxonvale site, was in tears at the meeting when the decision was announced. She said on Thursday: “I was heartbroken. It feels like the clouds have lifted. It sounds as if Acorn finally listened to us. It shows what people can do. There’s hope again.”
Sign up to First EditionSign up to First Edition
Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters
after newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotion
She argued the Mayday scheme would have built on the town’s community spirit and its reputation for creativity and collaboration. Shane Collins, a Green councillor in Frome, said: “This is unprecedented news, In nine years of being a councillor, I’ve never heard of a developer pull out due to community feeling. This shows the power of community in Frome. Fantastic news, from the depths of depression yesterday to elation today.”
Patricia Smith, who represented the Frome Civic Society, said it was not right to appoint a residential developer for Saxonvale. She said the Mayday scheme could have been a “true exemplar” for town centre brownfield developments. During the meeting, Acorn said it would work with the residents, and rejected the notion it would create a “cookie cutter” development, insisting it would build “individually designed” homes.
Another resident, Alison Barclay, said: “Acorn has a more traditional approach to development, they have a focus towards their shareholders.” All the residents who spoke at the meeting supported Mayday Saxonvale. The town councillor Anita Collier, who has lived in Frome for 60 years, said she remembered Saxonvale when it was a vibrant place, alive with various industries – and wanted that back.
The executive said the Mayday scheme was “innovative and unique”, and praised the community land trust ownership model it included.
But it voted in favour of Acorn, who offered more money, reminding residents they had declared a financial emergency because of a £100m budget gap.
As the decision was announced, residents called out: “Shame on you”, “You don’t have to do this” and, “It’s all about the money”. Several walked out.As the decision was announced, residents called out: “Shame on you”, “You don’t have to do this” and, “It’s all about the money”. Several walked out.
Theo Butt Philip, one of the members of the executive, told the meeting they would have needed to find “compelling reasons” to go with the lower bid or face a legal challenge. On Thursday after the Acorn announcement, the Somerset council leader, Bill Revans, said: “We note the decision from Acorn Property Group and will now carefully consider our next steps.”
Councillors accepted that the size of the successful bid was important and reminded residents they had declared a financial emergency because of a £100m budget gap.
Bill Revans, the leader of Somerset council, said the Mayday scheme was “innovative and unique”, and praised the community land trust ownership model it included. But, he said: “I have reluctantly and with a heavy heart concluded that the Acorn bid does represent the most viable way.”