The Howsham Mill Project – finalist on the 2006 BBC2 series Restoration Village – is another step closer to realising its goal of rescuing the Grade II 18th-century gothic watermill, for use as an education and community centre. 

Development funding of £19,500 has been awarded by HLF to help progress the plans, which include marrying ancient technologies with 21st century needs to bring the mill alive for today’s audiences.

The first-round pass means that Howsham Mill can now progress to the second stage of the HLF application process for a grant of just under £600,000.

Since 2004, registered charity the Renewable Heritage Trust has been working to restore the ruined building, and reinstate the waterwheel together with an Archimedean screw turbine to harness once more the power of the river - this time not grinding corn, but producing electricity.  

Phase 1 of the project – the restoration of the granary which houses the hydro generating equipment – is complete, and the HLF development funding awarded to the RHT will enable them to commission crucial work by architects, structural engineers and quantity surveyors to move on the plans for Phase 2 to the point where the work can be put out to tender to builders.

Phase 2, is architecturally speaking, what the project is all about, and will see the magnificent main building returned to its former glory externally, and developed into a state-of-the-art classroom/meeting space inside. It will also mean the appointment of an Education and Events officer to oversee all future activities at the mill.

Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and Humber, said: “We’re extremely pleased to give initial support to the Howsham Mill project which demonstrates some really innovative thinking in bringing alive a wonderful heritage asset while developing a working legacy for its future. We look forward to working with the Renewable Heritage Trust and receiving their application for a full grant in the future."

The HLF first round pass is being match-funded by electricity sales from the hydro-scheme and a grant from the Country Houses Foundation to achieve the £39,500 needed.

It will also pay for a conservation architect to pull together a conservation management plan, and an education consultant to formulate an activity plan, including an e-learning platform for schools.

Anne McIntosh, MP for Thirsk and Malton supports the project. She said: “I would like to congratulate the Renewable Heritage Trust on their restoration project for Howsham Mill. This is a very worthwhile project and I recognise the hard work and imagination which has gone into winning this project development grant from the HLF. I shall follow the rebuilding project closely and look forward to seeing the Mill returned to its former glory.”

Once all the development work has been done, and final drawings, costings and plans are complete, the RHT will submit a further application to the HLF for the full grant of just under £600,000 to complete Phase 2 of the project. If all goes to plan, the finished building could be open to visitors by Autumn 2012.

Notes to editors

A first-round pass means the project meets our criteria for funding and we believe it has potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals. Having been awarded a first-round pass, the project now has up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award. On occasion an applicant with a first-round pass will also be awarded development funding towards the development of their scheme.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK, including £351million in Yorkshire and the Humber alone.

Howsham Mill became known nationally when in 2006 it reached the finals of popular BBC programme Restoration Village as Northern winner.

Further information

Mo MacLeod, RHT Chair on 01653 619 748 or mo@rht.greenisp.org.

Vicky Wilford, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6046 or vickyw@hlf.org.uk