Nearly £3.8 million will be invested over the coming months to carry out essential repairs on the historic Tone Works site located on the northern edge of Wellington. This restoration effort follows Somerset Council’s successful bid in November 2023 for nearly £20 million from the government’s levelling up fund, aimed at regenerating both Tonedale Mill and the adjacent Tone Works.
Since receiving the grant, the council initially prioritized more urgent regeneration projects, such as the improvements to Firepool in Taunton town centre funded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund. However, a significant portion of the levelling up fund is now being directed toward safeguarding the Tone Works site to reintegrate it into active use in the near future.
Council officers emphasize that many buildings across both sites are still in a dilapidated condition, and no masterplan currently exists to guide their future use. The total funding awarded to this project stands at £19,987,000, with £3,676,000 allocated for improvements at Tone Works and an additional £105,000 from Historic England, bringing the total dedicated to Tone Works to £3.78 million.
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The upcoming works will build on earlier, smaller-scale repairs funded by Historic England and new homes bonuses. Despite these efforts, the Tone Works structures are in poor repair, exhibiting issues like broken glass, flooring holes, and bat colonies inhabiting the site. The historic machinery housed within, which once supported around 5,000 workers at the site’s peak, is listed and must be preserved according to strict standards.
Planned repairs include roof replacements complemented by solar panel installations on the largest buildings, timber beam restoration, structural fixes to the old boiler house, and reconnection to essential utilities such as water and waste systems.
Chris Hall, Somerset Council’s Executive Director for Community, Place and Economy, stated: “This next phase of works will ensure nearly all buildings and historic machinery are permanently protected from the elements and secured. These are vital steps before moving onto the next phase, which will focus on designing and converting spaces for their intended future uses. The installation of solar panels and utility connections will reduce ongoing maintenance costs and support sustainable new uses.”
Previous work rounds included asbestos removal in 2021 and structural and roofing repairs aimed at preventing collapses across the site.
Meanwhile, £16.3 million of the levelling up fund remains earmarked for Tonedale Mill, which differs from Tone Works in being privately owned. Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning, and assets, revealed that the council is exploring options to purchase Tonedale Mill, potentially using a compulsory purchase order if necessary. However, he cautioned about the financial implications, emphasizing the need to ensure any investment delivers lasting benefits.
The council has secured an extension from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to spend the funds by March 2028. They reiterated that the levelling up funding is strictly for enabling repairs like roofing and structural works, and not for full regeneration or future use planning. A masterplan will not be developed using this funding.
A council spokesperson added, “Work began in April with site setup and preliminary enabling activities. The repairs funded by levelling up do not constitute full site regeneration. Many buildings remain in poor condition, and at Tonedale Mill, the funding targets repairs to three of the main blocks, including roofs and structure, without covering future development plans.”