Plans approved for visitors centre, shop and cafe at historic Alford Windmill
Plans to restore a 19th century windmill to its former glory are moving forward.
An extra £1.1 million is being invested into Alford Windmill, bringing it back into use with a new multi-use visitors centre featuring a café and shop - and converting the adjoining Miller's Cottage into holiday accommodation and office space.
The historic landmark is one of three projects in East Lindsey receiving £8m of government funding - the others being the restoration work on the 16th Century Alford Manor House and a project for Spilsby Sessions House, a former court building that is being turned into a theatre.
During a meeting on Thursday, East Lindsey District Council's planning committee formally approved the development, aiming to regenerate the historic site and bring it back into the spotlight for the town and surrounding area.
According to the planning documents, the full list of improvements includes:
Building a new Visitor Centre/Bakery Café
Renovation of the Miller's Cottage into a two-bed holiday let
Reuse and refurbishment of the pigsty as a children's play area
Light refurbishment of the old shop to display a collection of millwright tools
External works to improve both soft and hard landscaping throughout the site
Both the shop and café are expected to offer mill-based products, such as breads and flour, along with other local goods to promote local businesses.
The grade one listed building is expected to be open in 2026.
Alford councillor Graham Marsh (Conservative) said it was "great news" for the town that both plans for the windmill and Manor House had been approved.
"They are two really superb assets that the town has, but like all old assets, they take a lot of money and care to maintain," he said. "It's very much appreciated that they have been deemed worthy of saving and improving."
According to Coun Marsh, the windmill currently remains in the ownership of Lincolnshire County Council, but he hopes that once the restoration works are completed, it could be transferred to the Alford Windmill Trust, a matter he expects to be sorted out in due course.
"The big thing is to get it up and running," he added. The Tory councillor later noted that these heritage assets are costly to maintain and suggested that ongoing support may be necessary.