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Two heritage at risk and culturally important tourist attractions have moved a step closer to having their uses and visitor offer enhanced with the submission of planning applications.
Alford Manor House and Alford Windmill are two of the three Lincolnshire Wolds: Culture and Heritage Programme projects set to be transformed after East Lindsey District Council secured £8m of Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government funding to regenerate the facilities and ensure they have a financially stable future.
The ambitious projects seek to preserve and enhance the heritage of each site, bring new culture opportunities to people in Alford as well as supporting the local economy and wider Lincolnshire Wolds and coastal visitor economy.
Separate planning applications have now been submitted for Alford Manor House and Alford Windmill , both of which aim to create additional uses and attract more visitors to the Lincolnshire Wolds all year round.
The planning applications have been validated and will now be assessed by planning officers following a period of public consultation with the local community and stakeholders. A decision is expected in Autumn 2024 for both sites.
The £2.05 million project at Alford Manor House, if planning is approved, will see a new permanent, flexible event space is proposed to replace the temporary marquee which has been in place since 2006. The event space will provide the ability for the Manor House to provide function space for at least 100 people at all times of the year for such occasions as funeral teas, concerts, weddings and craft market stalls. The event space will allow good access to the Manor House and the surrounding gardens.
The £1.1m scheme for Alford Windmill, will see a new visitor centre and holiday accommodation created on the site if planning permission is approved. It will include a bakery, café, and shop in one of the preexisting outbuildings to help support ongoing costs, maintenance, repairs, and conservation for the future of the windmill. The café will sell local produce as well as bakery produce using flour milled on site once the windmill is restored.
Plans also include expanding the car park which could offer the potential for coach trips. The proposed café will seat around 44 covers with the option to serve even more people outside.
In 2023 East Lindsey District Council secured £8 million to support the regeneration schemes for these sites as well as Spilsby Sessions House.
Cllr Graham Marsh, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction at East Lindsey District Council, said: “I am delighted that both schemes in Alford are moving a step closer with the submission of planning applications.
“Both applications are vitally important to the community of Alford as well as the wider district and so I am delighted that government funding will give a new lease of life and offer for visitors to come to the town and enjoy these facilities.
“Both plans have been put together in a way that respects the heritage of the sites as well as being ambitious to ensure they both have a financial stable future and are attractive to residents, visitors and holidaymakers who may want to visit.
“Please do take the time to read through the detail and share your views as part of the planning application consultation process.”
Cllr Adam Grist, Portfolio Holder for Market Towns at East Lindsey District Council said: “Both Alford Windmill and Alford Manor House are jewels in the crown of Alford and I am delighted that government funding is helping to realise their full potential to keep attracting visitors and generating new income for years to come.
“Both projects will create new opportunities and increase visitors to Alford, particularly those who visit the Lincolnshire Wolds and coast, creating a financially stable future. The benefits will be far reaching for the whole of the market town, including local businesses, organisations and residents.
“I encourage you all to read and look at the plans and do take the time to share your views as part of the planning process.”
John Smith, Alford Windmill Trustee, said: “We are pleased to see that the project to reopen and develop the site for Alford Windmill has taken another big step forward, following the submission of the planning application.
“When the site has been completed, we can’t wait to open the redeveloped spaces for people to explore and enjoy, with the education centre for people to learn more about where their food comes from, a fantastic new holiday home for people to visit and a new bakery where visitors can sample quality local products. Alongside the improvements being made at Alford Manor House, we can help to improve the heritage and tourism offer in Alford.”
Richard Quantrell, Alford Manor House Trustee, said: “The trustees and volunteers at Alford Manor House are pleased to see that the project of building a permanent event venue on our site to replace the marquee is moving forward towards the submission of a planning application.
“When completed, the new building will not only contribute to the financial viability of the Manor House but, with the repair of Alford Windmill and improvements on the windmill site, will make Alford a centre of heritage tourism for East Lindsey.”
The planning applications follow an information event held last year which gave members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the scheme.
A planning application will also be submitted for Spilsby Session House later this year.
The submitted plans can be viewed and commented on by visiting www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/applications and searching for the planning reference number:
- Alford Manor House Planning Reference Number: N/003/00997/24
- Alford Windmill Planning Reference Number: N/003/01226/23
Comments can be made direct on the planning portal. Any questions or feedback for the project team can be sent to LUF.projects@e-lindsey.gov.uk