Row over possible windmills sell-off

A total of 76 sites around the county have been earmarked for disposal, which would also save £1.6m in running costs per year.

It includes 23 council-owned offices, five farms, former playing fields or school sites. Some had already been earmarked for disposal, while the council is still considering options for others. Council officers will draw up a strategy for four travellers’ sites and windmills before any decisions are made on selling them. The four mills that were suggested to be sold on to their existing volunteer-led management groups at Heckington Mill, Ellis’s Mill in Lincoln, Dobson’s Mill in Burgh le Marsh and Alford Windmill.

In a statement issued by the county council’s Conservative group they said they are “appalled” that the council’s Reform UK leadership are trying to sell off important historic buildings in this way.

They said: “Lincolnshire's windmills are not just old buildings - they are treasured symbols of our heritage. Heckington Windmill, the only eight-sailed windmill still standing in the world, and Alford Windmill are internationally recognised landmarks. They are central to our rural identity and play a vital role in attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and boosting our county's tourism economy.”

They added: “Under the previous Conservative administration, £450,000 had been budgeted to help restore Alford Windmill, with constructive meetings held between the council, East Lindsey District Council, and dedicated volunteers. These discussions were progressing well and offered real hope for securing the mill's future.

“Of course, there are times when historic buildings can and should be released into the care of properly resourced and constituted community groups - but only as part of a considered strategic decision with safeguards in place to secure their future and preserve their cultural importance. What we cannot support is the current leadership's apparent willingness to push ahead without that careful planning, risking the loss of these irreplaceable assets for good.”

Reform’s Coun Natalie Oliver, executive councillor for culture, and Coun Liam Kelly, executive councillor for growth at Lincolnshire County Council, countered: “As a new leadership team, we’ve come into the council with a fresh pair of eyes and have asked officers to present the different options and costs associated with the various windmills owned by the county council.

"Protecting our heritage assets is important, as is making sure we are using taxpayers’ money to the best effect. We’ll be considering the options for windmills at a meeting later in the year.”

Coun Oliver added: “As portfolio holder for culture, I would like to be clear to residents that our history and heritage here in Lincolnshire is incredibly important and we will do all that we can to preserve it.”

Mark Eyre, Head of Strategic Asset Management and Estates, said: “Although the windmill strategy is currently being produced, the council’s four windmills have differing levels of community group involvement or development plans. So, options considered will reflect those rather than change them.”

The final decision on whether to sell will be made after further assessment and committee meetings.

But it has spelled the final nail in the coffin for a voluntary group caring for one of the heritage mills.

Alford Mill had already seen funding diverted to Alford Manor’s enhancement project as delays to securing sufficient match funding from Lincolnshire County Council meant the money being supplied by East Lindsey District Council for the mill’s restoration and development project would have to be given back to the government if not spent before the deadline.

Alford Windmill Trust issued an announcement via social media last week that the trust had closed down due to the four-year delays. They stated: “Our goal was to turn the site into a thriving tourist attraction, creating jobs and opportunities for locals. Despite opening the cafe and seeing encouraging footfall, the Levelling Up funding was withdrawn, even with planning permission in place.

“As a last effort, we reached out to key politicians and managers, but received no positive response and promised phone calls never came. So with no other choice, we've closed the Trust.

“Thanks to everyone who's supported us over the years. We live in hope that one day there'll be good news about the windmill, but after all this time, it's clear that continuing to fight for its future is futile.”

Alford Town Council, who was also involved in the trust, thanked the volunteers for their efforts. Lynnette Pryke, on behalf of the council, explained: “Alford Town Council was very much involved, including giving Alford Windmill Trust a grant and two of our councillors were also Alford Windmill Trust trustees.

“Initially LCC had agreed to give a lease to Alford Town Council and then on completion of the repairs to make the windmill a working windmill the Town Council would have taken the freehold and Alford Windmill Trust would have run it with Alford Town Council’s support.

“Unfortunately, LCC moved the goal posts and wanted to forego the lease and go straight to the freehold contract, making Alford Town Council the owners.

“This would have been fine if they had completed the repairs but the contract that LCC wanted to give to Alford Town Council was unworkable.

“It clearly stated that LCC did not have to complete any works.

“This meant that the liability would have fallen on to the council tax payers in Alford. We would have had to repair it, as it is a Listed building. Also, LCC only put aside £450,000 when the estimate for the repair was £1.2 million.

“We would have also had to put a sink fund of approximately £50,000 a year for future repairs. The town is not big enough to have taken that risk and it had the potential to bankrupt the town council. Alternatively, it would have increased the council tax by about 33 per cent.”

They added that if the county council did repair the mill, Alford Town Council would be more than willing to open up the dialogue again and explore all options.

East Lindsey District Councillor Graham Marsh responded: “I can understand the Trust frustration and the reason for winding down, I however have not given up, I have had meetings with senior officers at East Lindsey and we are still trying to find a solution, it is not easy as it is owned by the County Council.”

He added: “The money that was allocated from the government to refurbish the cottage and out buildings was time limited and when it was clear that it could not be spent at the windmill site I took the decision to move it across to the Manor House, had I not then it would have had to be sent back to central government.

“I will not stop looking for this project to be successfully completed as long as there is the slightest chance funding from any source can be secured.”