A Sussex windmill has been added to the latest Heritage at Risk Register with the hope that it can be saved and returned to its former glory.
Polegate Windmill, in Park Croft, has been included in this year’s Heritage at Risk Register which identifies historic sites most at risk and in need of protection.
Historic England works with owners, friends groups, developers and others to find solutions when historic places are “at risk” of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
The Mint House, in Westham, and the Cross-in Hand Windmill were included in the Heritage at Risk Register last year.
Polegate Windmill is a four-storey, brick tower windmill dating from 1817. It was built for milling oat and was operated by wind power until 1942.
Historic England said that rainwater leaking in from the cap and tower walls was causing damage to the large timber beams on all floors and eroding the mill’s brickwork.
The beams, which support the heavy mill stones and internal mechanism, are currently propped.
As a result, there is no public access to the tower but the mini museum on the ground floor is open to visitors.
An active volunteer group is passionate about saving the building and fundraising for its repair. A comprehensive condition survey and work to improve the mill’s condition and make it weather-tight is urgently required.
Councillor Ian Tysh, Alliance for Wealden (Green Party), and lead councillor for Planning and Environment, said: “Polegate Windmill is a grade II listed building which was built in 1817 and is rich in history that deserves to be saved.
“It is an important landmark within the district and we welcome the protection of the site being added to Heritage at Risk Register.”
Across the south east, 15 sites have been added to the Heritage at Risk Register 2023 while 25 sites have been saved.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of the first national Heritage at Risk Register.
Since it began in 1998, about 6,800 entries have been removed – or about three quarters of the entries on the original register.
Historic England awarded just over £1 million in grants for repairs to 19 sites in the south east during 2022-23.
