Burnham Overy Staithe planning application withdrawn 🌍

In March 2025 The National Trust made a Planning application for works at Burnham Overy Staithe windmill, for the following works:

The aim of the proposed works is to repair and conserve the Mill in the short term whilst future uses are considered. The objectives of the project are to:

• Temporarily remove the stock and sails. Store for future repair or replacement.
• Temporarily remove the fantail stage and fantail (already removed) due to health & safety concerns
• Temporarily remove cantilevered 1st floor walkway where partially collapsed and in a poor state of repair.
• Remove modern internal ceilings, insulation and partition walling to improve air circulation through the Mill tower.
• Reinstate ventilation grille in Fantail Stage Access Door where currently blocked
• Repair the roof finishes to maintain weathertightness
• Repair and redecorate windows

This proposal aroused a lot of public and official opposition - in effect it was the National Trust saying they had no long term plan in place for the future of the mill, and in particular not providing a timeline for the reinstatement of the sails. In the face of this opposition, they withdrew the proposal on 18th June 2025, hopefully to come back with a new proposal later that addresses the real issue of the long term future of this mill. NT statements said

Unfortunately, we have had to make the difficult decision to withdraw our application, as we do not have the funding in place or the specialist millwright skills secured to carry out the full-scale restoration work that is being asked for at the current time. Given the substantial costs for full repairs we will now need time to review and plan our next steps to ensure a sustainable future for the windmill. Having listened to the strength of feeling locally for this iconic building, the National Trust team for the Norfolk coast and Broads, together with key local and regional colleagues, wish to reconsider all options.