Council considers selling windmills to save £850k

Drapers Windmill in Margate is one of those whose freehold is owned by Kent County Council

Kent County Council is considering selling eight historic windmills to save money.

The council took possession of the mills' freeholds between the 1950s and 1980s, as "owner of last resort" when they were under threat.

A report to be presented to members of the environment and transport committee on Wednesday estimates the cost of maintaining and improving them over the next six years to be £853,120.

The mills, which are each in a different Kent district, are cared for by volunteer groups.

Along with other local authorities, Kent is under severe financial pressure, with an independent auditor's report in July saying it needed to save £86m in the next financial year.

A plan to save money by closing four waste tips was defeated by Conservative rebels in November.

Meopham Windmill is one of eight that could be sold to private owners

All the mills are either Grade I or Grade II* listed, and the report said any new owners would have to meet the obligations carried by this status.

The eight mills are:

• Drapers Windmill in Margate

• Meopham Windmill

• Chillenden Windmill

• Cranbrook Windmill

• Stelling Minnis Windmill

• West Kingsdown Windmill

• Wittersham Windmill

• Herne Windmill

Kent County Council declined to comment until after the meeting, but said no decisions have yet been made, with any decision subject to public consultation.