CAMPAIGNERS hoping to transform the derelict Wellington Mills site have hit back at claims a local councillor made that it could be classed as a ‘scam’.

Cllr John Thorne told members of Wellington Town Council that although everyone would support the development of the historic mills at Tonedale – he said it was purely aspirational on the part of those involved with the Wellington Mills Community Interest Company.

The campaign group had asked the town council for a £950 grant to help support its ongoing work to try and get the mill site developed for the community.

But Cllr Thorne, speaking at the council’s finance meeting on Monday, said: “I don’t support this at all. It could be classed as a con on the public – they have no ownership of the site, they have no money to do anything with it, they aren’t really working with the local authorities.

“They have a vision. I don’t have a problem with that but they haven’t been working with us at all and now they come to us cap in hand looking for money.

“They are raising the aspirations of the public when they actually have limited hope of getting anywhere with this.

“I want to use my words carefully – but this is like a scam on the public. We would be throwing away £950 of public money.”

“I don’t disagree with the vision – it’s something we would all agree with. But there is no prospect at all of this CIC doing it.”

An hour or so later, however, and the full council decided to support the application after hearing from Wellington Mills CIC director Keith Wheatley.

“There is a misconception that we are trying to gain ownership of the site – we aren’t,” he told councillors.

“The goal is to get new owners to come in with a vision and real commitment to turn a derelict Victorian factory site into something vibrant for the town.”

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