The Mill tops England's at risk buildings register

The Grade I listed Ditherington Flax Mill, seen by many as a forerunner of the modern skyscraper, is regarded as being at the top of English Heritage's Buildings At Risk register.

The derelict Mill, the world's first iron-framed building, has fallen into disrepair and English Heritage and the local council have now stepped in to prevent further deterioration.

The owners of the site, Maltings Developments, failed to undertake the urgent works despite a legal notice issued by the local council in September.

The repairs have been made possible by an interim grant of �140,000 from English Heritage and will make the historic building safe while plans for its long-term future are made.

Viable future

Work is expected to be completed by the end of January 2004 and it is hoped the costs can then be recovered from the site owner.

The Mill complex also contains a range of other historic listed buildings.

Since the buildings were vacated in 1987, a series of owners have tried to find a viable future for them.

Bath based architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley, known for their work on the RAF Museum Hendon, The Pump Rooms and Roman Baths Museum in Bath and the Gloucester Docks master plan, have been appointed to develop a comprehensive plan for the site.