Somerset Council has rejected a community-led proposal to regenerate a 5-hectare brownfield site in the centre of Frome, opting instead to sell the land to a London-based property company. The decision, announced at a packed meeting in Frome town hall on Wednesday, ended years of efforts by local residents to develop the site through the Mayday Saxonvale project.

More than 1,000 residents had pooled resources, raising around £1 million to back a plan aiming to create the UK’s largest community-led regeneration scheme. Their proposal included affordable homes, workspaces, a riverside park, and a covered development over the former industrial land. The Mayday initiative also secured £1.2 million from Resonance, a social impact investment fund, and reportedly had further investor interest.

However, Somerset Council’s Liberal Democrat-led executive committee instead selected Neource Strategic Situations VI, a property developer based in Soho, central London, as the preferred bidder. The sale, expected to be around £3 million, was agreed unconditionally, prompting strong reactions from residents. At the announcement, attendees voiced outrage, chanting “Who?”, “Shame on you” and “Stitch-up.” Some Mayday project volunteers, who had committed five years to the initiative, were moved to tears.

Council leaders expressed hope that the new owners would collaborate with the community, though they acknowledged the sale process lacked a transparency that some locals considered necessary given Saxonvale’s importance to Frome. Fiona Barrows, leader of the Independents for Frome council, criticised the approach, describing the land deal as inappropriate for such a significant community asset.

Sara Butler, a Frome town councillor, called the decision “devastating,” emphasizing the widespread community investment and hopes tied to the Mayday vision. Susie Jenkins Temple, a key fundraiser for Mayday, lamented the loss of what she described as a “town-wide mission” driven by local commitment.

Concerns persist among residents about plans for the site under Neource’s stewardship, with fears it may prioritize luxury housing or high-cost accommodation for older adults over affordable options. Jon Rolls, from Resonance, warned there is a “real danger” that Saxonvale would become a conventional regeneration project imposed on the community rather than one developed collaboratively.

In a statement, Neource pledged to engage closely with Frome residents to understand local wishes and to develop plans in partnership with the community. Preliminary proposals reportedly include a mix of new homes, intergenerational living spaces, community facilities such as studios for local artists, open green areas, and parking.

Despite this, Mayday’s director, Paul Oster, expressed disappointment that the opportunity to create a landmark community-led regeneration had been lost. Many locally remain sceptical of the council’s process, noting the swift release of press statements following the announcement and suspicion that the decision was predetermined before public input. The outcome marks a significant setback for residents striving for greater local control over development in the heart of Frome.