The ambitious £20 million regeneration scheme for Tonedale Mill and the adjacent Tone Works in Wellington, Somerset, has undergone significant revisions due to unexpected challenges. These issues include severe deterioration, extensive asbestos contamination, and escalating costs, making the original plan no longer viable.
In November 2023, Somerset Council secured nearly £20 million from the levelling up fund to restore these historic sites on the northern edge of Wellington. However, as the government’s deadline for allocating the funds approaches, the council has agreed to pivot its focus primarily to the Tone Works site.
Lara Bell, the council’s place-based innovation and regeneration lead, highlighted in a recent report that further investigations at Tonedale Mill revealed more extensive damage and asbestos problems than initially anticipated. Combined with rising costs and long-term financial risks, this has led the council to reconsider the feasibility of the original plan.
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In contrast, Tone Works, which is wholly owned by the council, is currently undergoing repair work that has provided a clearer picture of the site’s condition. Since August 2025, nearly £3.8 million has been invested there to repair roofs, replace timber beams, upgrade structural elements, and reconnect utilities. These efforts also include installing solar panels as part of a sustainable approach.
The council believes focusing on Tone Works will ensure substantial progress in returning one of these historic landmarks to public use while avoiding the risk of returning funds to the Treasury. A Grade II listed former wool textile factory, the site boasts a rich industrial heritage dating back to the 1750s, featuring unique machinery and diverse power generation methods from water to steam and electric.
While Tonedale Mill remains privately owned and plagued by unresolved asbestos removal and structural challenges, Tone Works has benefited from council-driven phased restoration work supported by previous Levelling Up and Historic England funding.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has mandated that all levelling up grant funds must be committed by March 2027, with work completed by April 2028. In response, the council plans to allocate an additional £4.7 million to Tone Works for essential safety and stabilization.
Following public consultations that engaged over 130 Wellington residents, the council’s regeneration team is now developing a long-term business plan for the Tone Works site. This plan will be reviewed by the climate, environment, and place scrutiny committee later in the summer, alongside proposals for the remaining £11.5 million of the levelling up budget.
Meanwhile, the council is negotiating £389,000 from Mancraft Ltd, the current owners of Tonedale Mill, to cover urgent repair costs issued under repair notices. Despite setbacks, the council is committed to safeguarding these sites’ heritage and creating opportunities for future redevelopment.