I HAVE to admit that although i work professionally as a millwright and lived in Essex until I moved to the Cotswolds. This is a very rare survival indeed and I work with mills every day. I do find it very sad that the Uttlesford District Council conserv

I HAVE to admit that although i work professionally as a millwright and lived in Essex until I moved to the Cotswolds.

This is a very rare survival indeed and I work with mills every day.

I do find it very sad that the Uttlesford District Council conservation officer has not supported the fight to save this unique building and do question her competency and scruples.

If this isn't worth saving what is? Her argument so far has been that a restored mill is not sustainable, but I can't really work out how the windmill at nearby Thaxted has remained open and working since the 60s due to its restored glory?

Surely if this can remain so can the water mill - much more likely is the fact that the mill is worth hundreds of times more as a building plot than a sorry derelict, which it should never have been allowed to get into in the first place.

I hope that the last complete water mill in the Dunmow and north Essex area is not lost for ever after 800 years.

Adam Marriott

Shipston on Stour

Warwickshire