Council urged to act to save city's last windmill

Volunteers who want to restore a council-owned 18th Century windmill have called on officials to make a decision about its future.

Ellis Mill is Lincoln's only surviving windmill, and one of four owned by Lincolnshire County Council.

Lynn Ritson from the Ellis Mill Rescue Group said: "We're willing to take it over, but we need the council to make a decision. We've been told this could be as long as October. Meanwhile it's deteriorating rapidly."

The council said it was looking at options for all four sites.

A survey carried out in 2021 listed more than £500,000 of work that would be required, mainly to the roof and sails.

Ritson said: "A lot of people think Ellis Mill is worthy of saving.

"It's a cultural asset which could be a tourist attraction and an educational opportunity.

"Lincoln Castle has recently had £12m of extra funding. The mill would only take £1m, if that, to get it up and running again."

The mill, which was built in 1798, is the last of nine windmills that once stood on the Lincoln hilltop.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, another volunteer group, which helped to maintain it, disbanded during the pandemic.

This meant the mill's condition had deteriorated further.

The Ellis Mill Rescue Group submitted a business case to the council in March which included registering as a charitable trust to allow them to apply for funding from sources such as Historic England.

Rob Gibson, deputy leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: "The council owns four windmills – each one is in a different condition with different management arrangements.

"We've been pleased to have been in talks with interested groups to give the mills a sustainable future and this work is almost completed."

The council's three other windmills are located in Alford, Heckington and Burgh-le-Marsh.

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