The former Wansborough paper mill site in Watchet, Somerset, stands at a crossroads a full ten years after its closure. Once a historic hub of industry since 1652, the mill was the UK’s largest producer of coreboard—a rigid packaging material—until it shut down in late 2015. The closure resulted in the loss of over 170 local jobs and a £30 million write-down for its last owner, the DS Smith group.
Since then, the site—located off the B3191 Brendon Road—has become the largest brownfield site in the former West Somerset area. Despite multiple redevelopment ideas, ranging from a housing development to a bypass road, the site remains largely dormant as developers focus on greenfield sites nearby.
Local community housing group Base for Life is striving to unlock the site’s potential. Focused on addressing genuine local housing needs, they aim to create affordable homes that remain in community ownership—similar to established models like the Frome Area Community Land Trust. Since the paper mill land was acquired by Croydon-based Tameer Homes in 2018 for £4 million, multiple ambitious plans have been proposed, including up to 350 new homes, assisted living flats, a hotel, leisure amenities, business units, and public parking. However, these plans stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Part of the site saw limited activity when Huntley Wood Investments secured permission to establish a battery energy storage facility on a small section. Meanwhile, Somerset County Council commissioned studies to address coastal erosion near Blue Anchor Bay, which also explored new road solutions potentially linking the paper mill site via an inland bypass to ease traffic in Watchet. The most expensive and complex option involving a new bridge and extended roads was ultimately deemed unviable.
In recent developments, London developer Stratton Land Ltd. gained permission to store topsoil on the site in 2023 to facilitate future construction. Although initially planning to acquire the paper mill land and build new homes, Stratton Land’s financial troubles, including a £36 million debt and unfinished projects, led to administration, leaving the site’s fate in limbo once more.
Simon Fox, Somerset Council’s Principal Planning Officer for Major Projects, confirmed that there has been no progress on redevelopment applications for many months. “The intended purchaser went bust and the land has reverted back to the original owner, Tameer,” he stated. “There is nothing happening at present while the site owner considers their next move.”
Amid this uncertainty, Base for Life and other community voices emphasize the urgent need for social housing in Watchet. Liz McGrath, chair of Base for Life, highlighted that current market housing does not meet local needs, especially for accessible homes and large families. She stressed the benefits of community-led housing initiatives, which can address local challenges more effectively than distant government or private interests.
Watchet’s housing pressures contrast with some parts of Somerset that face delays due to the phosphate crisis, as the area is not affected by river flows contributing to that issue. The community’s housing challenges include a widening income gap and rising costs, leading many families into insecure and expensive rentals.
Surveys by Base for Life reveal that Watchet has 97 empty or deteriorating properties, with 80% of residents expressing dissatisfaction with their current housing. This situation underscores the local demand for supportive, mixed housing developments that serve the community’s needs.
Hence, while the paper mill site remains closed off to the public, it is visible from nearby footpaths like the Mineral Line connecting to Washford. Somerset Council plans to begin consultations in spring 2026 on a new county-wide Local Plan, which will prioritize development sites for the coming decades and could shape the future of the paper mill site.
For now, Watchet waits as stakeholders seek a sustainable path forward to breathe new life into this historically significant yet dormant industrial landmark.