This is an extraordinary opportunity to reinvigorate this homestead, effectively a small holding supporting several dwellings and a disused Mill, and to give the buildings and landscape a new life after 50 years or neglect.
The site has an important heritage and landscape context and our research has shown how it has grown from an agricultural development supported by workers dwellings to a small holding of residential dwellings.
Our proposals embrace this heritage and landscape context and incorporate them in to our vision for reinvigorating the site in to a modern-day homestead. We care about the wider environmental issues and the future of the countryside and we see this as an opportunity to re-establish the mill and dwellings as a viable and self-supporting community.
New high quality buildings will replace those that are of poor quality and unsympathetic to the listed building group. New landscape works will provide habitats for a wider range of wildlife and will protect the buildings from extreme climatic conditions.
We are committed to protecting the heritage of Clymping Mill and the surrounding area which has so sadly been neglected over the years. In order to do this, we have employed the expertise of many professional bodies to advise us on how best to ensure the future of the Mill and its surrounding land.
Our aim is to embody the following four objectives / criteria:
Modern-day homestead – Create a more self-sustaining, energy efficient settlement that explores modern rural diversification. Work within a circular economy that supports ecology, energy production, water cycles and food and waste systems.
Heritage – Secure the future of the listed buildings which are in poor condition and prevent further deterioration. Ensure the story of the buildings are told through progressive layering and compliment this with sensitive adaptations that continue the story in to the future.
Ecology – Provide the highest possible increase in biodiversity with ecology at the heart of the vision. Establish a range of native habitats from still water aquatic through to marsh woodland which will be complimentary to the area and form part of the circular economy.
Safe & Secure – The site is exposed with open boundaries and is within a high flood risk area. We want to find sensitive ways of protecting it from the harsh climate and making it more safe and secure from theft and vandalism.
The following is a summary of proposed works:
- Landscape works – a site strategy that incorporates new ponds and a ring of bunds to enhance ecology and provide a safe and secure environment for the buildings and their inhabitants.
- Demolition of modern, unsightly buildings and replacement with new buildings more sensitively located and of high quality architecture.
- Associated new garage and storage buildings discretely located within the bunds.
- Restoration, alterations and extensions to Thatch and Mill Cottages, the Mill and Mill House – adopting a sympathetic approach and one that traces the historical changes to the site and continues into the future.
Over the years, the Mill has fallen into a sad state of disrepair; suffering from decay and death-watch beetle attack, the mill stack and sails had to be removed and destroyed.
It is our vision to reinstate the Mill including its sails in order to its status as a prominent landmark.
The Thatch, Cottage and other out-buildings have suffered from modernisation during the 1900s and, as such, a lot of the original structures have been damaged or covered over.
Our Vision is to restore the Mill to its former glory and develop the site in keeping with the surrounding area. Emphasis will be placed on retaining the natural habitat of many species of birds, animals, insects and plants.
Although several feet above sea level, the land on which the Mill stands could be susceptible to flooding and, with this in mind, bunds will be constructed using natural materials to protect the site from storm-surge tides.
Clymping Mill 