A historic North East property can be restored to “the attraction it once was” according to the local MP, as part of a UK Government funding call.
Andrew Bowie has backed the community asset transfer of 18th Century Mill of Benholm from Aberdeenshire Council to a local charity.
Mill of Benholm Enterprise’s application was approved by councillors on Tuesday, January 23.
Mr Bowie has now asked Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young for the restoration to be awarded Community Ownership Fund money.
The Scottish Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine says the transfer “removes all hurdles” to the group bringing the mill back to its former glory.
The Mill buildings are Category A listed and are described by Historic Environment Scotland as “an exceptional and rare survival”. They have been disused since closure for health and safety reasons in 2014.
Mr Bowie said:
“Mill of Benholm is one of our best loved and most dearly missed visitor attractions. Beyond the great experience it offered for tours, it represents a vital link between our world of today and the rural soul of the Mearns.
Although most of the buildings date back to the 18th Century, there are records of a mill working here 500 years before that.
Aberdeenshire has been very well served by the Levelling Up funding over the past couple of years, but there are many great projects like this one who are perfectly suited for this kind of funding.
“I’ve been looking forward to the community transfer for some time, and have asked the Minister to consider Benholm for the next round of community cash.”
You can read Andrew's letter to the Minister below.
