Residents' views sought on protecting key Somerset regeneration site from flooding

Local residents are being asked for their views on how to protect a key Somerset regeneration site from future flooding, Somerset Council was awarded nearly £20m from the government’s levelling up fund in November 2023 to regenerate the historic Tonedale Mill and Tone Works sites on the northern edge of Wellington, delivering a mixture of residential, commercial and cultural redevelopment.

Both sites are currently vulnerable to localised flooding, with the River Tone flowing through part of the Tone Works site and Tonedale Mill lying close to the Back Stream, which has its source in the Blackdown Hills on the other side of the M5. The council is now asking residents to give their views on how both sites – and the adjoining Fox’s Field green space – can be protected from flooding as part of the wider regeneration efforts.

Tonedale Mill and Tone Works were once the centre of the mighty Fox Brothers & Co. Ltd., one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of woollen and worsted garments in the South West. Quaker businessman Thomas Fox acquired the original corn mill on the Tone Works site in 1796, turning it into the finishing works for a business which, at its height, employed 5,000 people.

Tonedale Mill almost entirely closed in the 1980s, though a small amount of production continues on part of the site, with a handful of small businesses being based nearby. Tone Works, which closed its doors in 2000, has recently received around £1m of government funding to decontaminate the land and prevent the existing structures from falling into disrepair.

The council commissioned consultancy firm Arup to produce an initial feasibility study, focused on ways to lower the risk of flooding in the Tonedale area while safeguarding the existing heritage sites and delivering wider benefits to nature. The study recommends further “structural reinforcements” at Tone Works, ensuring that the existing infrastructure can “flood in a safe manner without deteriorating or risking structural failure.”

The Tone Works complex in Wellington

Changes may be need to protect the existing northern access, onto the B3187 Milverton Road, and the design of any re-purposing of the buildings will have to ensure they can be safely and rapidly evacuated. Additionally, existing obstructions within or near the River Tone could be removed or re-routed, such as pipe crossings – but this would have to be done in such a way that it did not increase the risk of flooding downstream as a result of allowing faster flow or greater volumes of water near the site.

At Tonedale Mill, flood resilience measures could focus on protecting the ground floor of the buildings, with the upper floors being retained for “more sensitive uses”, including housing and businesses. These resilience measures would be delivered as part of the refurbishment of the buildings, which could keep the cost down – though funding for ongoing maintenance will need to be considered carefully.

A council spokesman said: “We want to gain a clear understanding of the options and feasibility for reducing flood risk to Tonedale, Wellington and the wider catchment, while at the same time presenting innovative enhancements to the historic, landscape and ecological context. This is an exciting time for Wellington, with lots of opportunities for the area that come along investment presented by the levelling up fund and the new railway station.

“We want to keep up the momentum that these opportunities bring to the town and ensure that these align with community aspirations.” To take part in the consultation, undertake one of the following actions by March 4:

• Visit www.somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/planning/wellingtonwaterways to complete an online survey
• Email your thoughts to [email protected]
• Post your comments to Planning Policy, Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY

Members of the project team will be available at Wellington Library (currently located on North Street while the main premises is refurbished) to discuss the projects at the following times:

• February 20, noon to 2pm
• February 21, 3pm to 5pm
• February 23, 3pm to 5pm