Windmills could be transferred into new ownership

Four windmills in Lincolnshire could be transferred into private or community ownership to help save them.

The county council discussed the future of Alford Windmill, Burgh le Marsh Windmill, Heckington Windmill and Lincoln Ellis Mill at a growth scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday.

Officers told councillors the four windmills were in "a poor state of condition" because of a historical lack of investment.

Committee member Tom Dyer described the windmills as "part of Lincolnshire's heritage" and said it was important they were preserved for the future.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, officers said potential costs to repair them were putting pressure on the council's finances.

Mark Eyre, head of strategic asset management and estates, told members his team had been working on a strategy for the council-owned windmills.

"There has been [an] acknowledgement within the council that the service need is not there for running and maintaining and operating windmills as a council, but we are looking at options to make sure there's a viable operation for the future of the windmills."

In March, people in Alford voted for the town council to take over ownership of the windmill there.

But the county council is still assessing options for for all four windmills and will make a decision about their future at a later date.

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