Mill project wins 'hearts and minds' of planners (From Gazette & Herald)

Mill project wins 'hearts and minds' of planners

A LONG-NEGLECTED Ryedale treasure is set to be restored after councillors were urged to vote with their "hearts and minds" and approve the project.

Supporting the renovation of derelict Howsham Mill for use as an eco-friendly education resource, Andrew Yates told last night's meeting of Ryedale District Council's planning committee: "This is an absolutely fantastic set-up... I would encourage you to vote with your hearts and minds."

Despite concerns over impromptu visitors parking on a road near the mill, councillors did vote it through, subject to conditions. Councillor Keith Knaggs said: "The difficulties raised are extremely thin."

The mill, tucked away on an island surrounded by the River Derwent in a lonely area of marshland just off the busy A64 Scarborough to York road, was spotted in a fast-decaying condition by seismic engineer Dave Mann.

He had been house-hunting, explained his wife, Mo, after they returned from Norway, where he had been working for an electronic surveying company.

"He rang me at work to say he hadn't found a house but he had discovered 'a project'. I was baffled and really amazed when he took me to see the mill," said Mo.

Dave, who heads Mann Power, a consultancy company based at Westow which specialises in developing sites for hydro power and advises on renewable energy through audits, has a vision of transforming the ruins into an exhibition and community centre, library and a centre for school parties.

"It's a wonderful educational resource," said Mo. "We have already found 86 different types of birds and it's a haven for kingfishers."

The restored mill could also double as a camping barn, she said.

The original ornate structure was designed by John Carr of York when the mill, now a listed structure, was built in 1755. Now the whole restoration scheme, including providing its new facilities, is likely to cost a massive £700,000, says Mo.

"It's an amazing building - something of a Gothic folly."

When completed, the restored mill will focus heavily on renewable energy and its facilities, which will include a composting toilet, will ensure it is CO2 neutral. Inaccessible by road, the mill, three miles from Westow near Howsham village, is already a Mecca for conservation workers, who each month spend an entire Sunday working to remove decades of vegetation from its ruins and floors. As a result the original flagstone floor, concealed by generations of soil and rubbish, has been revealed.

The venture has won the support of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Project.

Its leader, Paul Jackson, said: "We have been pleased to give grant aid to remove trees which were growing out of the ruins, and to help consolidate the most unstable parts of the building. We have also helped with interpretation work and built a new footbridge as well as aiding the restoration of the old water wheel and digging out the mill race. It is a splendid but challenging project."

Planning officer Rachel Smith said the mill was last used in 1947. It is a registered park and garden, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Candidate Special Area of Conservation. The scheme includes rebuilding the mill to include a partial first floor, installing a replacement water wheel and providing accommodation for up to 14 staying guests.

The project has been set up by Renewable Heritage Trust which aims to find new uses for old buildings by adapting them to generate renewable energy, said Ms Smith.

One of the most difficult issues to resolve, said Ms Smith, was access to the mill.

Updated: 15:29 Wednesday, January 18, 2006