Windmill Restoration Funding Withdrawn, Volunteers Express “Devastation”

The withdrawal of £1.2 million in funding for a windmill restoration project has left volunteers “absolutely devastated.” East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) had previously committed these funds for the development of a new cafe, visitor centre, and shop at Alford Windmill. However, according to the councillor overseeing the initiative, ELDC found itself with “little choice but to pause the scheme” due to a lack of “commitment to restore” the mill itself from its owners, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC). LCC expressed its “disappointment” regarding the decision, stating that its “hands are tied slightly on timescales.” This funding originated from an £8 million government grant designated for the Lincolnshire Wolds Culture and Heritage Programme. While ELDC had previously indicated that these plans would contribute to securing the windmill’s future, the council has now “agreed to reallocate the money.” Doug Porter-Robinson, representing the Alford Windmill Trust, which had aspirations to manage the windmill and its associated outbuildings as a visitor attraction, characterized the “devastating” announcement as the culmination of “delay after delay.” He further stated, “We’re so disappointed,” adding, “We just look at each other wondering what we’re going to do now.” Porter-Robinson described the situation as “a catastrophic mistake,” asserting that “The people who will lose out are the people of Alford.” ELDC explained that the government funding must be utilized by March 2026, and it had “been left with little choice but to look again” at alternative uses for the allocated sum. Councillor Graham Marsh, the deputy leader of ELDC, commented that the mill served as “the anchor for this whole project.” He elaborated, “Without a working mill – and a commitment to restore it from the owners – the whole site has no main attraction.” The remaining funds are now slated for the Alford Manor project, which includes plans for a new function room and additional enhancements, with ongoing hopes of securing further funding for the windmill. Marsh stated that the mill’s deterioration had led to “the projected cost of the repair is £1.2m.” Councillor Richard Butroid, LCC’s executive member for corporate property, remarked: “We have recognised additional inflationary costs, but this does not diminish our disappointment that East Lindsey have withdrawn their funding for Alford Windmill.” He added, “Nevertheless, the £460,000 we have allocated to the project remains committed, as well as our intention to repair the building.” Mr. Porter-Robinson expressed his bewilderment, stating: “It baffles me that Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council haven’t worked in harmony on this project. “We’ve been spectators all the way through this until the funding has now been pulled.”