£0.5M + VAT budget approved for more restoration work at Halnaker mill 🌍

West Sussex County Council have just approved a £0.5M + VAT contract "to conserve and restore in part" Halnaker windmill. The contract has been awarded to Fowlers Building Contractors Ltd, who were the firm who did the last lot of work on the mill, back in 2017 when the lime render was repaired, and new tiles hung on the tower.

However, I can't find what the actual works planned are (though I have reached out to the Council for more information). No planning application has been submitted, and there are no supporting documents about the decision on the council website. Since the decision was individually decided by Andrew Edwards, Service Director of Property and Assets, there was no meeting to minute. I'm pleased that in these days of pressure on council spending, the decision notes that "Not supporting the project was rejected due to Heritage Conservation obligations."

The mill does not have sails on it at the moment, so restoring those may well be in the plan, but that shouldn't cost the full approved budget.