MILLS CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHY
A mill is a machine with a
casing of brickwork, stone or timber.
Mills as
Listed buildings
The present listing system tends to focus
on the building rather than the machinery within, however it is the importance
of the machinery rather than the casing that is significant in determining the
grade of listing. It must also be recognised that many listings are out of
date, and do not take account of later restoration or other work, resulting in
inconsistencies of grading. Some mills with significant heritage value have
only a basic listing or none at all. Lincolnshire Mills Group can advise on the
significance of any machinery.
Workable
mills
The ideal use for a windmill/watermill is
the purpose for which it was erected i.e. to catch the wind/water for mechanical
power in grinding corn or other original use. Lincolnshire Mills Group adheres
to the SPAB philosophy for repairs for mills in using traditional materials and
methods whenever possible. The use of any typical mill evolved over time with
the addition of additional machinery or auxiliary power. It is our philosophy
that any restoration should match the peak of development (but not decline) at
which the mill last worked by wind/water, and reflects the full industrial
archaeology of the site.
Mills with
some machinery
Many mills lost ironwork in the
mid-twentieth century when the scrap value was greater than the mechanical or
historical values. Timbers such as floor beams can suffer in cases where the weather
has entered through broken windows or where the cap/roof has been lost through
storm damage or neglect.
Where machinery remains, its value is as
much in its location within the building and the spatial relationship between
remaining items, as in its form, in telling the story of that mill. Every mill
is custom built, and unusual arrangements of machinery or geographical patterns
of common arrangements are important in understanding the history.
A mill containing its original machinery
(however incomplete) has the potential to be restored to its former glory.
Lincolnshire Mills Group opposes the removal of any machinery from mills, and
encourages owners to weatherproof the building in order to preserve the remains
until a future time when restoration might be feasible. This encouragement
takes the form of practical help when appropriate. Where the planning authority has approved
removal of machinery, Lincolnshire Mills Group welcomes the opportunity to record
the industrial archaeology.
Development
near a mill
It is important that any development within
the vicinity of a disused windmill does not preclude its later restoration,
through disruption of the airflow. Buildings within 100m should not be higher
than two storeys. Many restored mills in
the south of
Owners of water mills have significant
problems in maintaining their supply of water, sometimes resulting in
litigation. The problems are often due
to nearby development affecting watercourses. Maintaining a good supply of
water to a water mill should be considered in planning development even if the
mill is not working at the time. Once a water supply is lost it is highly
unlikely that the affected mill can ever work again.
Mills where no machinery remains
Even an empty and derelict brick tower can
be restored to full working order. A prime example of this is Ellis' Mill in
the city of
There is increasing social pressure to
convert disused historic agricultural and industrial buildings into dwellings.
It is extremely rare in reality, but too common in fiction, that English
windmills were lived in. Nonetheless a significant number of people have the
romantic notion of living in a windmill. The limitations of use dictated by
fire regulations and difficulties of moisture control are often discovered too
late. The practicalities of living in a
circular tower where the ceiling is narrower than the floor, usually lead to
residence in an attached structure in addition to the mill.
In principle, the
Lincolnshire Mills Group opposes the conversion of mill towers for residential
use. However, where conversion is has been agreed by the planning authorities,
we urge the following considerations:
·
Fenestration should be as close to
the original as possible, with no alteration to the brickwork openings.
·
Where weatherproofing was achieved
by the traditional method of tarring the brickwork, this should be continued.
·
Where the tower was historically
not tarred, this condition should be maintained.
·
Where a reefing stage or gallery
was used this should be kept or reinstated in the original style. This can be
an attractive feature. A gallery should not be added where there previously was
none.
·
The top of the tower should be
finished with a cap of the original style. This can vary in its precise shape
across the region, tending from conical to ogee (onion-shaped). Caps are
traditionally made from timber, but lower-maintenance GRP finishes have been
used sometimes with success.
Lantern-type observatories are not desirable.
·
Dummy sails are not considered
appropriate.
In summary, the house-converted
tower should appear from outside as close as possible to the original windmill
tower.
Watermills are not so restricted in their
shape as windmills, and can sometimes afford space for residential use within
an adjoining structure, which together may appear to be one building. Care must be taken to maintain the division
between mill and house.
As with windmills, The Lincolnshire Mills
Group encourages owners to maintain the historic appearance of any watermill;
·
Fenestration should be as close to
the original as possible, with no alteration to the openings.
·
Original roofing materials should
be used, e.g. slate, stone slabs, tiles or thatch.
·
Restoration of the waterwheel and
maintenance of the watercourse is encouraged and has a practical modern use for
electricity generation. Financial grants may be available for this work as a
micro-generation scheme.
However, where the owner does not
appreciate the heritage value of the machinery of their mill, vigilance is
necessary to avoid its gradual removal to create more living space -
effectively conversion by stealth, without planning approval. The Lincolnshire
Mills Group believes that the listing of the machinery within a mill is as
important as the fabric and features of the building.
Lincolnshire Mills Group are concerned with the conservation
of machinery of any purpose powered by wind, water, steam or animal power, and
can help to identify the original features from old photographs and other
historical sources.
We occasionally give small grants to worthwhile mill
restoration projects including those which are privately owned. If you know of
a project which you believe would benefit please write to the secretary at the
address below.
You can contact the Group via our Secretary or Chairman below:
|
Jon Sass 4 Cook’s Lane Nettleton Market Rasen LN7 6LL |
Dave Gregory The Old Windmill Norwell Notts NG23 6JN |
N.B replace & with @ symbol. |
|
01472 851210 |
01636 636233 |
|
|
jass&uwclub.net |
davejgrego&gmail.com |
|
Detailed conservation and restoration information is also available
from:
SPAB Mills Section
E1 6DY
Tel: 0207 456 0909
Lincolnshire Mills Group 2010
Lincolnshire Mills Group
MILLS CONSERVATION PHILOSOPHY
A
brief guide for owners, architects and planners