THE owners of Tone Works, part of the nationally important former textile mill in Wellington and one of the most endangered historic buildings in the South-West, are being asked to make £1m of repairs.

The privately-owned building has fallen into disrepair and action is needed to preserve it, says Taunton Deane Borough Council. It is taking the unusual step of issuing a repairs notice and if the owners fail to do the work, the council could acquire the site through compulsory purchase to save it.

Cllr Roger Habgood, who holds the planning policy portfolio, said: “Preserving and restoring this building is of national importance. The borough council is proud to play a part in ensuring Tone Works are brought back to life.”

The Tone Works buildings have been identified by Historic England – formerly English Heritage – as one of its top ten most at risk heritage sites within South-West England.

Built in the 1830s by Fox Bros, the buildings were used for finishing cloth produced at the mill. Extensions were added over the years as part of the mill’s development.

It is considered a rare example of a 19th Century cloth dyeing and finishing works and still contains the remnants of historic machinery.

Three years ago the council granted planning permission and Listed Building Consent for a restoration scheme for the Tone Mill buildings. These permissions expired after three years and no start on development had taken place. In the meantime the buildings have continued to deteriorate.

The council, as the local planning authority, identified the issue of a repairs notice under the 1990 Act as a possible way forwards and perhaps the best means of achieving a restoration of the buildings.

The repairs notice sets out a schedule of works which the council considers are reasonably necessary for the proper preservation of the building.

The work includes removing vegetation encroaching on the building, clearing rubbish and graffiti, securing the buildings to prevent vandals getting in, re-roofing, asbestos decontamination, and repairing windows and doors. Tarpaulins and sheeting would be installed to protect the historic machinery while the essential work is carried out.

The cost of the repairs is estimated at £1 million – the seven-figure sum is due to the complexity and scale of the work that needs to be done.

An Urgent Works notice was served on the owner in 2009 to secure the site – works were mainly to secure the stability of the roof and make the building wind and weather proof. Following the failure of the owner to carry out the works the council stepped in and carried out these repairs.