AN urgent works notice has been served on the owners of part of Tonedale Mill, Wellington, by Taunton Deane Borough Council.

The owners, Mancraft Ltd, have carried out unauthorised works to the historic mill owner’s house – Tonedale House – part of the nationally important mill complex.

These unauthorised works have undermined the structural integrity of the building and harmed its historic fabric. The urgent works notice will provide temporary measures to secure the building while the council investigates future options to secure the long-term preservation of the building.

The council, with the support of Historic England, has commenced the temporary work necessary to secure the building in the short-term. Together they will continue to investigate the future of the derelict part of the Grade II* listed Tonedale Mill site owned by Mancraft.

Leader of the borough council Cllr John Williams said: “This is a significant step forward in the extremely important task of protecting the Tonedale Mill complex, which is an important part of our national and local industrial heritage.”

Tonedale House – not to be confused with the Big House Co’s Tone Dale House in Wellington – was built by Thomas Fox and his wife Sarah in 1801 beside their woollen mill. The house was divided in the late 19th Century and part of the house was incorporated into the mill.

The mill was built in the late 18th Century for Fox Bros and was used for wool preparation and yarn spinning. At its peak about 6,500 metres of material was produced at the factory each day. The mill complex was the largest woollen mill in the South-West of England.