Frome Town Council are dismayed to see a report going to Mendip’s Asset Management Group meeting on Wednesday 24th August, so soon after the Planning Board decision to approve the Mayday Saxonvale scheme.
The report is asking for agreement to sign the S106 Legal agreement with Acorn, which will enable the planning consent to be issued for the Saxonvale site. Cllr Anita Collier, Leader of Frome Town Council has written to Cllr Ros Wyke, Chair of the Asset Management Group, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the implications of this in advance of the Asset Management group meeting, saying she is very concerned about the consequences of signing the S106 agreement with Acorn without first exploring the potential of a deal with Mayday Saxonvale . If this report is agreed, there will be nothing to stop the S106 agreement being signed and the opportunity for further discussions with Mayday Saxonvale will be lost.
Cllr Collier said: “It was clear from the Planning Board meeting on the 17th August, that there is now an appreciation that Frome desperately needs more employment space and that Saxonvale is the best place for it. It was very encouraging to hear all the comments of the Planning Board members, acknowledging this.”
Cllr Collier added: “The overwhelming public support for this application clearly shows that the Mayday scheme is what Frome residents want for the town centre. So understandably we are very concerned about the consequences of signing the S106 agreement with Acorn without first exploring the potential of a deal with Mayday Saxonvale. Frome Town Council fully support the press statement issued by Mayday Saxonvale and we too call on Mendip District Council to pause the approval of the Acorn S106 agreement.”
