East Lindsey District Council are pleased to announce that planning application and listed building consent has been approved for Alford Manor House and Alford Windmill. The separate applications were unanimously approved by the planning committee.
The determination marks a major milestone for both projects which, once completed will see new uses for each site which will generate greater footfall into the town all year round, supporting the local community and securing these heritage assets for the future.
Alford Manor House
Alford Manor House will see a new permanent, flexible event space created to replace the current temporary marquee removed which has been in place since 2006. The new function room will allow the Manor House to provide event space for up to 100 people. The plans also include works to the car park and construction of a canopy to store large pieces of machinery for the Rural Life Museum and workshop.
Alford Windmill
Alford Windmill site will see a new visitor centre building including a café and shop, refurbishment of the Miller’s Cottage as a two-bed holiday accommodation, refurbishment of the Sail Store as an educational space, the pigsty to be converted into a children’s play area, refurbishment of the former shop which will display Millwright tools and landscaping throughout the site.
These two historic sites alongside Spilsby Sessions House are part of the Lincolnshire Wolds Culture and Heritage Programme. These sites are benefitting from £8 million funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to regenerate the sites and secure their futures.
A range of pre-construction work will now continue on both sites to allow work to start early next year. A planning application for Spilsby Sessions House is due to be submitted later this year.
Hear from the Team
Hear from the architect (William Silby, Stem Architects) behind the Windmill and Manor House projects, who is thrilled about the recent planning approval, in the video below. Plus, check out the enthusiastic reactions from the Alford Windmill and Manor House trustees, just below the video!
This is a huge milestone for the site and work can now begin to restore the site and allow it to reopen to the public, enhancing the visitor offer here in Alford and across the Lincolnshire Wolds.
I am sure the whole of Alford will be delighted to see work happening on site and will be pleased to have such a prominent site in the town being restored and reopened. Alongside the work happening here at the Windmill it is also a positive sign that work will continue at Alford Manor House further developing Alford Town.
All here at Alford Windmill are excited for the next steps and being able to start on site.
The new space will not only provide much needed financial support for the Manor House it will also enhance the visitor offer here at the Manor House and across Alford and East Lindsey as a whole.
By having a flexible space, the Manor House will now be able to host more events allowing it to be a focal point within the community and surrounding areas, this space will also allow the removal of the temporary marquee which has been in place since 2006.
We now can look towards the next steps and being able to start on site in the future.