Tower Mill, Little Downham: approval given for conversion and new homes

A VIEWING area together with a mezzanine floor will be a prominent feature of a converted 19th century Grade II listed mill given consent for conversion by East Cambs planners.

Tower Mill, Little Downham: approval given for conversion and new homes

A four bedroom home and a three bedroom bungalow are included in the proposals for Cornwell’s Mill at Little Downham.

The Rutterford and Lockwood families who have won approval for the scheme say they plan to alter the form of the mill as little as possible.

“The new roof to the mill is deliberately contemporary and simple, weatherproofing and enhancing what remains of the mill rather than seeking to reproduce what has been lost,” they told the district council.

The mill in Ely Road has until now been in a poor state of repair, long since past its working days, with no sails, windows or cap.

Tower Mill, Little Downham: approval given for conversion and new homes

The families told planners that they felt “the most appropriate form of development for the mill was to recreate a form of ‘mill-yard’ development.

“This allowed the new house to be located at a small distance from the mill and joined by a simple glazed structure which allows the mill to retain its visual dominance.

“By demolishing the old piggery, the area in front of the mill is thus left empty to allow for the full height of the mill to be viewed from Ely Road.”

Planners were told: “The main significance of this proposal is to bring back into use a disused and at-risk listed building.”