The long-term future of an iconic Hampshire landmark as a visitor attraction is at risk following the withdrawal of essential funding.
Grade II* listed Bursledon Windmill is owned by the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust (HBPT) and to date has been operated in a partnership between Hampshire County Council, which leases the mill from the HBPT, Eastleigh Borough Council, which part funds the day-to-day operational costs, and Hampshire Cultural Trust, which manages and staffs the building. However, in February of this year Eastleigh Borough Council informed Hampshire Cultural Trust of their intention to withdraw their funding with effect from the autumn and as a result, the viability of the mill as a visitor attraction is now under serious consideration.
In addition, recent work to restore the mill’s sails to full working order has thrown into relief new and complex health and safety challenges which require both significant investment and an increase in the level of specialist staff. The project to replace the mill’s sails has been in progress for several months, with significant investment from Hampshire County Council in addition to generous support from the local community, individual donors and several trusts and foundations. However, while the new sails have now been produced, it has not yet been possible to install them due to health and safety issues and the associated, increased costs.
Paul Sapwell, chief executive at Hampshire Cultural Trust, said: “There are two issues at play here. Since Eastleigh Borough Council confirmed that they would be withdrawing their funding, we have been looking to see how – and if – we can continue to keep the mill operational for our visitors. It is a huge challenge for us to fill the gap that has been created by the funding withdrawal. Unfortunately, revenue from admissions, the existing shop and small café is simply not sufficient to support operations.”
Sapwell continues: “Secondly, the mill is a phenomenally complex building to manage, with very specific needs. To fulfil our health and safety obligations – not just for our staff, volunteers and visitors, but also for the local community – when it is fully working, the mill has to be turned in line with the direction of the wind; to do this, we need specialist, highly skilled staff on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We cannot manage this staffing level without more funding and as a result cannot install the new sails. While we are talking to all parties involved and looking at every option that we can, we do have to face the very real possibility that we may not be able to keep the mill operational and open to the public, although we will do what we can to avoid this possibility.”
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Rob Humby, said: “We recognise the historical importance of the windmill and have been very pleased to be a long-standing supporter, allocating significant funding to keep it running and open to visitors. However, unfortunately, we are not in a position to guarantee that this can continue indefinitely beyond March 2025, particularly in light of the withdrawal of funding from other partners.
“As we make clear in our budget consultation, the County Council has a £132 million budget shortfall to fill if we are to deliver a balanced budget by 2025. With much less money available we are going to have to make some very difficult decisions about future spending as finding ways to make savings is becoming ever more difficult in the face of rising costs and higher demands for services. I am grateful to Hampshire Cultural Trust for its careful stewardship of Bursledon Windmill, and we will continue to work with both the Cultural Trust and Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust to agree the best solution for the future of the windmill within the resources available.”
Charlie Fraser-Fleming, Chairman of HBPT said, “Over the past 20 plus years, Hampshire's historic Bursledon Windmill has been well maintained by both Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Cultural Trust. Sadly, the current financial situation has resulted in the need to review existing arrangements with Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust, the site owners. However, Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust are determined to ensure the windmill has a long-term future.”
Bursledon Windmill will be open for selected events and weekends over the summer season until the end of September. More details are available at hampshireculture.org.uk.