The owners of one of Wellington's most important historic sites is faced with a potential prosecution threat.

It comes after Mancraft Ltd, which owns the derelict Tonedale Mill, failed to introduce appropriate safety measures despite petitioning by the council and emergency services.

Somerset Council have now issued a Section 215 notice and issued a 28-day ultimatum to the firm for it to action a number of safety changes.

The council is demanding the firm secure the site's perimeter, that scaffolding be professionally inspected, that a number of external doors and windows are secured, that signs warning of danger should be put up around the perimeter, and that vegetation which is growing on the buildings be cut back.

Issuing the notice, the council's assistant director of strategic place and planning Alison Blom-Cooper said: "Tonedale Mill is a complex of listed buildings and any works other than like-for-like repairs may require planning and listed building consent.

"You are therefor advised to consult with the council's heritage at risk officer or conservation officer before ay replacement features are manufactured or installed.

"Failure to do so could result in further enforcement action being taken. For the avoidance of doubt no buildings or structures on the land shall be demolished without prior listed building consent."

If Mancraft fails to make good on the works the council has ordered, Ms Blom-Cooper warned it could bring a prosecution in the magistrates court and/or that the council could carry out the works and bill the firm, or a charge could be put on the land which would be recoverable in the event of a sale.

The apparent inaction at the site comes despite a meeting between its owners and officials from the police, fire brigade, and Wellington Town Council in July.

The meeting was prompted by a spate of incidents of arson, criminal damage, and trespass - and concluded with the owners being told they needed to improve their security - which Mancraft Ltd at the time assured it would do.

Following the meeting a spokesperson for the police said: "We have been assured security patrols have been increased and it was agreed we will make them aware of any calls we receive through our control room relating to people trespassing on the site. Trespass is a civil offence and would be for the company to manage through its own security, rather than police."

At a town council meeting on August 7, local Sgt Jon O'Connor told councillors that the site was so dangerous emergency workers would no longer be prepared to enter it. He said: "Both ourselves and the fire service had received numerous calls in recent weeks of persons climbing inside and on some occasions of fires being lit. The hazards and dangers within the site are of such severity that neither of our services would be prepared to enter the buildings.

"We stressed to the owner the immediate importance of properly securing the site and that there would need to be physical security patrols from now on as this was their responsibility as owner. 

"Not only is this a safety issue but to preserve the integrity of this historical site. To date we have received no further reports of intruders and there will be a further site visit and review in due course to ensure our expectations are met."