Former Nutricia Site (Wells)

 demolished, historical layer / disappeared object

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Since the aerial view was taken in 2006, it is difficult to come to terms with the fact that this really modern production factory & distribution centre has been completely demolished.
The original milk factory was established in the early 20th C, and became part of the Wilts United Dairy Group - which its tall chimney testified right up to the (1970s?).
It then became part of Unigate which was the combine created through the amalgamation of United Dairies and Cow & Gate.
It continued to be known and traded as 'Cow & Gate', latterly (1980s / 90s) exclusively producing their own brand of Baby Food - though by then part-Dutch owned.
While the output was very considerable, the workforce shrank progressively from the 1960s - when there were hundreds employed there - to relatively few operating a highly mechanised and automated production and bottling process by the late 1980s / 90s.
This new complex (as shown) was only built in the later 1990s, so at least it seemed that the remaining jobs would be secure for years to come. The investment on the site had been massive.
Inexplicably, this was not to be. The factory closed completely a few years ago, has now been flattened & a Planning Brief has been submitted for mixed development (2007/8).