A decade after the closure of the historic Wansborough paper mill in Watchet, Somerset, the future of this once-thriving industrial site remains uncertain.
Operating since 1652, the mill had long been a prominent producer of coreboard— a sturdy material used in packaging— before shutting down just before Christmas 2015. The closure resulted in the loss of over 170 local jobs and a significant financial write-down of £30 million for its final owner, the DS Smith group.
Since its closure, the site has remained largely inactive despite numerous proposals ranging from major housing developments to a new bypass project. As the largest brownfield site in the former West Somerset area, it represents a crucial opportunity for redevelopment. Yet commercial developers have prioritized greenfield sites in nearby Watchet and Williton, leaving this prime land mostly unused.
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Local community housing organization Base for Life is pushing to break the stalemate by advocating for new affordable homes tailored to local needs. Their approach focuses on community-led development, aiming to convert disused land into rented properties that remain under community ownership. The group has engaged with Tameer Homes, the current landowner since 2018, which had proposed in 2019 a substantial redevelopment plan including up to 350 new homes, assisted living flats, a hotel, leisure facilities, and business units. However, these plans stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A portion of the site saw limited use when Huntley Wood Investments Ltd. obtained permission to build a battery energy storage facility. Meanwhile, Somerset County Council commissioned studies and approved coastal defense measures to protect the adjacent B3191 road and nearby properties from erosion, but large infrastructure projects such as a new bypass remain financially and practically unfeasible.
More recently, London-based Stratton Land Ltd. showed interest in purchasing the site, securing planning permission to use the land for topsoil storage to aid redevelopment efforts. Unfortunately, Stratton’s Minehead housing project ran into financial trouble, leading to administration and leaving the paper mill site’s future in limbo.
Somerset Council’s principal planning officer confirmed there has been no recent activity on redevelopment plans, stating: “There is nothing happening at present while the site owner considers their next move.”
Community leaders emphasize an urgent need for social housing in Watchet, highlighting the insufficiency of current market housing options and the growing disparity between local incomes and housing costs. Base for Life’s surveys found nearly 100 empty or deteriorating homes in Watchet and that 80% of residents view their housing as unsuitable in some way.
With ongoing challenges presented by the economic landscape and planning restrictions, redevelopment will require renewed focus and cooperation between developers, the council, and local organizations. The upcoming 2026 consultation on Somerset’s new Local Plan may provide an opportunity for the community to influence future priorities.
In the meantime, the historic paper mill site remains inaccessible to the public, although it is visible from footpaths such as the Mineral Line connecting Watchet to Washford.