Project to regenerate old mill site is moving forward

There has been exciting progress with the £1.2million regeneration project of the Heckington Mill site.
Heckington Windmill. EMN-150304-100807001Heckington Windmill. EMN-150304-100807001
Heckington Windmill. EMN-150304-100807001

The unique 8-sail mill was awarded £990,200 by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2012 to enable the purchase of the historic buildings and surrounding land.

Plans for redeveloping the site include a new visitor centre and shop in the old granary, reinstating mill stones onto the ground floor of the mill, interpretation and display boards, restoration of the surrounding buildings and setting, disabled access, better car parking and toilet facilities.

Mill manager Jim Bailey said: “The contract to put the new roof on the brewery and bakehouse has been done. We needed to do that to remove the asbestos from the site, and we have just awarded the contract to change the windows and doors, the wiring and plumbing of the bakehouse, which we hope to have complete by Easter.”

Trustees are preparing plans for restoration of the Mill House tearoom and they have gone out to tender for the restoration of the granary. That too will have to be approved by the Heritage Lottery Fund as key sponsors.

They aim to complete the bulk of the work by Easter 2017, including the bakehouse, Mill House, granary, cart shed and toilets, with new surfacing surrounding them and the car park.