The community group pressing for the regeneration of the historic Tonedale Mill in Wellington has welcomed news that its owners have been served with repairs notices.

Somerset West and Taunton Council has issued three repairs notices under Section 48 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act 1990) to Mancraft Ltd, which owns most of the site.

Wellington Mills community interest company said it was pleased to see the council take steps to enforce the owner’s legal obligations.

Grade II* listed Tonedale Mill is one of the most significant former textile mills in South-West of England. The site was particularly renowned for production of military serge and puttees used by soldiers in the First World War.

The site was originally much bigger but a significant proportion of the original mill remains, although since its heyday many of the privately-owned buildings have fallen into disrepair. Mancraft acquired the largest part of the site in November 2014.

A spokesperson for Wellington Mills CIC said: “As the community group that has been pressing hard for action to kick-start the social and economic regeneration of Tonedale Mill, we’re very pleased to see the district council take such clear steps to enforce the owner’s legal obligations."

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.