LEADER of Frome Town Council Cllr Fiona Barrows has written an open letter to Somerset Council after the devastating fire at the Western Warehouse.

Writing to council leader Cllr Bill Revans, she is urging the authority to put the economic development of Frome at the heart of any plans for Saxonvale.

The plea comes as MayDay Saxonvale enter a bid with Somerset Council after more than 1003 people invested £801,860 to procure the brownfield site.

Cllr Fiona Barrows wrote: “I’m writing to highlight a concern for this site shared by many in our community; that in the search to find a buyer for the site, the importance of Saxonvale to Frome’s future might be lost.

“It is our final opportunity for a genuine extension of the town centre and a once-in-a-generation chance to shape Frome’s future.

“While the site will need to include housing, this opportunity is about far more. It is about employment, enterprise and creating a sustainable local economy…

She continued: “After so many years, Saxonvale has to be the right development for Frome - not simply the one that delivers the largest capital receipt.

“This decision will shape our town for generations. Please seize this opportunity to enable the kind of mixed-use regeneration that Frome needs and deserves.”