By Jo Thewlis
Tuesday, 23 November, 2010
9:00 AM

AN ICONIC windmill which has been a feature of the Suffolk skyline for more than 250 years could be under threat if three-storey town houses are built nearby.

Stanton Windmill has been a landmark in the picturesque village since it was built in 1751, appearing as the nearby Blackbourne Middle School logo.

But the graceful Grade II*-listed building, which is one of the few remaining working post mills in the country, could be under threat from plans for a new 106-home development on land next door.

Under the proposed scheme, two-and-a-half storey homes could be built on land directly to the west of the mill, blocking vital gulf stream winds.

Dominic Grixti, 49, who owns the windmill, fears the new buildings could interfere with the airflow which is vital to the smooth running of the mill’s machinery.

“This is an iconic windmill for the village,“ he said. “It is part of village life.

“We feel the proposed development will have an adverse effect on the mill.

“Three-storey buildings will affect the air flow and might reduce the amount of wind we get.”

The post mill, which is a scheduled ancient monument, was once one of four working windmills in Stanton, occupying a prominent site in Upthorpe Road.

Moved across the village to its current position in 1818, the mill fell into disrepair in the last century but has been lovingly restored over the past 20 years.

Mr Grixti and his wife, Linda, bought the mill in 2004 and have since painstakingly repainted the exterior and are now restoring the interior using sales of flour to fund the operation.

But Mr Grixti fears the development by Abbey New Homes, could create turbulence and gusting which could damage and affect the workings of the much-loved mill.

“We would be opposed to the development in its current form because the wind may be restricted which may restrict the workings of the windmill itself,” he said.

“This is a rural mill, the closer development gets, the more it will affect its character.”

No-one from Abbey new Homes was available for comment last night.

Sign in if you want to have your say or vote.

0
Views