Sunday 11 March 2012

We're back! A report on Saxonvale Question Time

If you were unable to attend the Frome Question Time on Wednesday evening, we thought that you might like to know what happened at the event – and the surprising development announced.
John Harris spoke on behalf of KFL with his usual clarity and conviction.  He articulated again why we feel that a large supermarket on the Saxonvale site would adversely affect the rest of the town, and that the site should be developed in accordance with the Mendip Planning Brief. 

Also on the panel were representatives from the Civic Society, the Chamber of Commerce, Frome For All and the Town Council.  John admirably held his own and the debate was lively, at times noisy, and always passionate, which seems to indicate just how much residents enjoy our town. One theme which did emerge and on which all seemed to agree, was a desire to increase footfall into the town centre through a sympathetic re-development of Saxonvale and help our independent shops and businesses thrive. How to achieve this sharply divided the panel and audience. 

Then, in the final minutes of the debate there came an announcement which had many of us stunned. In the audience there was a representative from Frontier Estates, a property developer which had signed a contract with Notts Industries at 6pm that evening. We gleaned little about Frontier’s plans from what the representative said.  It is a diverse developer with business including retail, offices, hotels.  Those who check out Frontier’s website will quickly notice that Tesco is one of its featured clients.  It’s rather too early too say whether this developer’s appointment heralds better news for the town.  See Frome People for further information on Frontier and its selected consultants. There's also an interview with Frontier Estates Development Director Damian Wood on Frome TV's website.

KFL will continue to monitor events, updating you whenever possible, and as soon as we have more information on what Frontier Estates have planned will inform you and make sure everyone is aware of any consultation that may occur.

If you would like to make any comments about these and other events, have any ideas about the campaign, or would like to give us feedback about the value, or not, of these newsletters, then please post them below!