The long anticipated restoration of Brill Windmill is due to begin.

Debates about how to save the rare Grade II listed building have been in progress for some time. Much of this has centred on the need to prioritise work due to limits in the funding available for the mill. However, funding previously secured for the mill was boosted by £180K from English Heritage. It is thanks to the £280k of funding provided by Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN), English Heritage, Buckinghamshire County Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council, that the restoration can now proceed. Preparation work is now underway and in December the first signs of the restoration work will begin through the erection of scaffolding.

Cabinet Member for Community Services Margaret Dewar commented: "I am absolutely delighted to be part of such an exciting restoration. All are welcome to view the restoration of such a great structure through the Buckinghamshire County Council website, which will be tracking the mill's progress. Works can also be viewed from a safe distance at the mill itself, or through the local press. An incredible amount of time and effort has been put into planning and financing the restoration of the windmill over time by many people"

Mark Bailey, Natural Environment Team Manager for Buckinghamshire County Council and member of the Brill Windmill Management Group said: "The level of restoration and maintenance has been made possible only through our funders. Our success in securing this money is a reflection of how important the mill is at a national level. The monies received will be well spent in ensuring that the windmill retains its status of national importance. We will ensure we can at least deliver a full scheme of preservation that will restore the mill's appearance back to its original splendor. For health and safety reasons the area immediately surrounding the windmill will be not accessible to the public once the restoration works programme is underway."

The official Brill Windmill Restoration website is available through the Buckinghamshire County Council website: www.buckscc.gov.uk