Bishop's Waltham housing development will see historic Abbey Mill retained

Proposals for a 66-bed care home, 38 assisted living flats, 12 affordable housing flats and 19 market homes will be determined by Winchester City Council.

The 3.7ha site lies south of the village centre and contains Duke’s Mill or Abbey Mill, a non-designated heritage asset.

Under earlier plans, the mill would have been demolished as part of the conversion. Now, however, it will be kept for assisted living residential use. Previously it was bought by Sainsbury’s but that plan did not go ahead.

In its planning documents, Beechcroft Developments said: ‘The most unusual aspect of the site - in many ways its defining feature - is the high retaining wall which forms the southern face of the mediaeval dam. Set hard against this wall, with two single-aspect lower storeys, is the existing mill.’

The application had received 39 objections from the public with the loss of the mill being the main concern, although that was before the change to the plans.

In its letter of objection, Bishop’s Waltham Society pointed to an opinion poll which found that 82 per cent of villagers wanted the mill to be restored.

‘Built in 1862 by Sir Arthur Helps, Queen Victoria’s Private Secretary, the Mill’s size and form quickly became an emblematic structure associated with Bishop’s Waltham for the next 70 to 100 years.

‘The fact that visitors to the town, quite apart from its residents, would have seen the mill as a central feature of the town confirms the importance of its distinct built form and its setting on the dam wall.

'This underlines its significance as a locally important heritage asset.’

Council officers have recommended granting planning permission - the application will be determined on August 17.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the mill was still due for demolition. We apologise for the misunderstanding and any inconvenience caused.