A derelict mill that was painstakingly converted into a modern family home has won an award for building excellence.

Ely Standard: How the Old Feed Mill looked in 2005How the Old Feed Mill looked in 2005 (Image: Archant)

The Old Feed Mill, in Prickwillow, was little more than a corrugated steel clad warehouse, long since derelict and disused, when Andrew Fleet MCIAT were contacted to help with the conversion in 2005.

Ely Standard: The Old Feed Mill was stripped back to its steel frameThe Old Feed Mill was stripped back to its steel frame (Image: Archant)

After years of restoration and tens of thousands of pounds, the mill, which stands 42ft high, has been refitted inside and out and given a new lease of life as a four-bedroom home.

In recognition of the work the building, in Mile End Road, has been judged the best conversion in East Anglia at the Local Authority Building Control awards held earlier this month.

It now stands a chance of being crowned the best in the UK when it goes forward to the national finals on November 12 in London.

Jamie Palmer, of Andrew Fleet, who worked on the mill, said: “The project consisted of a number of complexities including encasing the lower steel columns in concrete to protect and reinforce them from the environment, removal of the extensive asbestos cladding and constructing the new roof safely and economically.”

Jason Johnson, building control surveyor at East Cambs District Council, said: “This project was enormously constrained by planning requirements to keep the traditional structural features which made the renovation and modernisation complex and time consuming.

“But with a good working relationship developed between the contractor and East Cambs building control, these constraints were overcome and a truly stunning family home was created.”