Councils 'still committed' to restoring windmill

Councils in Lincolnshire have said they are committed to bringing a windmill back into use.

It comes after £1.2m of funding was withdrawn from the Alford Windmill restoration project in December last year and reallocated to the Alford Manor House scheme.

Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) and the Alford Windmill Trust are now "exploring options" for how some of the Alford Manor House funding could go towards the windmill.

Councillor Colin Matthews, who represents Alford on LCC, said the council had set aside more than £450,000 for the windmill repair project.

The £1.2m of funding had originally been set aside from an £8m government grant for the Lincolnshire Wolds Culture and Heritage programme to create a new cafe, visitor centre and shop at Alford Windmill.

The funding was then moved to fund the Alford Manor project, which included creating a new function room and other improvements, with the hopes that funding for the windmill could also be found.

Matthews said: "We're exploring options that would see us gift the windmill to the local community, through the Alford Windmill Trust, and provide our funding to repair the cap and sails."

Councillor Graham Marsh, portfolio holder for community safety, leisure and culture at ELDC said: "Conversations will continue here at the district council on how our officers can best support the conservation work at the windmill, preserving its heritage."

John Smith, of the Alford Windmill Trust, said: "We're still at the start of the journey, but this is a positive step in the right direction that will help us rebuild confidence in this project.

"With the support of not just the councils, but the community too, we can build momentum again and help create a lasting legacy for the town."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.