THE number and complexity of issues surrounding the development of the former Fox Brothers mill at Tonedale have been discussed at a public meeting.

Scores of people packed out the Methodist Church Hall in Waterloo Road last week in a follow up event to a public consultation in October which nearly 300 people attended.

The Thread architectural practice at West Buckland presented proposals for the disused factory buildings at the autumn event and the latest meeting discussed feedback from visitors.

Nicky Saunter, one of the six directors of the Community Interest Company behind the plans, said: “Everything starts somewhere but there’s an awful lot to do.”

Nicky, who is described on the Wellington Mills CIC website as a ‘serial entrepreneur – Boston Tea Party, Woolly Shepherd – and campaigner’ added: “We don’t have any money, we are all volunteers and we don’t own the site. We are not developers, we are just interested people from within the wider community who care about this site.

“This a very early part of what will probably be a very long process of trying to engage with the local community, and get as many people on board as possible, so we have a real feel of what people in Wellington want for the site.

“Then we will try to put pressure on whoever owns it at the time to develop it in a way that fits in with what the local community wants. There may be the chance at some point to own part or all of the site but at the moment that’s a dream.”

Directors at the meeting discussed Workspace, Housing, Environment and Sustainability, Leisure and Hospitality among other topics, and invited comments from the audience.

The directors said they had looked at other sites around the country which had been transformed and others were suggested such as Saltaire in Bradford and Borough Market in London.

One member of the audience was keen that the beauty of Tonedale Mill and surrounding countryside was preserved and not ruined by ‘acres of car parking’.

CIC director Ben Fox said the mood at Taunton Deane Borough Council and Historic England was to do something about the site, a distinct change from a few years ago.

One member of the audience said a new railway station at that end of town was crucial to the project and another asked if it was possible to get Prince Charles involved, as an important individual concerned with architectural heritage.

Wellington Mayor Cllr Gary James questioned whether it would be possible to create affordable housing at the site. He would like to see it but it would be a ‘big ask’. Questions were also raised about the listed status of buildings on the site.

Feasibility work will continue on the plans and the next public meeting is likely to be held in about six months’ time.

The other directors of the CIC are Keith Wheatley, editor of community news website Around Wellington; Sean Cooper, co-founder and partner at The Emporium Somerset and games developer; Anita Roy, author, editor and publisher; Ben Fox, who started On Your Bike and is a partner The Big House Company; and Nigel Morris, an experienced finance director.

The building is owned by Mancraft Ltd but CIC directors say it has so far not engaged with them about selling it.