Windmill restoration work delayed for winter

The Grade II-listed building at Chichester, West Sussex, will undergo refurbishment work which is expected to last 14 weeks, depending on weather and ground conditions.

The original plan to complete work on the tile-hung façade could not be achieved this summer before unsuitable winter weather conditions set in, following a delay in the required planning approval.

The sails will continue to be kept in safe storage and will undergo necessary repair and redecoration before being reinstated.

Jeremy Hunt, member for Chichester North, said: ‘We are fully committed to restoring Halnaker Windmill to its former glory as soon as possible.

‘The approval we required for the works to commence was delayed and this reduced the window of opportunity to complete the work before the winter, when ground conditions mean that we are unable to access the site.

‘The winter weather could also have caused damage to any incomplete restoration work, so in order to ensure the work is of the quality required, we took the decision to delay the work until next spring.’

Jeremy added: ‘I realise that this delay will come as a disappointment, but as soon as conditions allow we shall be ready to start work straight away.’

Details will be available on boxgrovepc.org.