A Dundee mill could be demolished if funding to protect the historic building cannot be found.
Mark Munsie, operations director with the Dundee Heritage Trust, has said money is needed sooner rather than later if the High Mill building at the Verdant Works is to be saved.
Sitting empty and in a state of disrepair, hopes remain that the site can one day host a city archive. However, Mr Munsie has warned that unless money can be found to weather-proof the building and halt its decline, then it too may become a part of the city’s history.
”Time is of the essence,” he told The Courier. ”It’s a category A building so it is of significant importance, but finding the money to repair it is difficult. It is in a significant state of dilapidation but the mill is important and we don’t want to see it disappear.”
He added: ”It’s a real challenge, especially in the current economic climate, but we really do not want these buildings to go.”
Originally built in 1833 for flax spinner David Lindsay, the High Mill building is only partly used by the Verdant Works museum and has lain empty since the 1960s. Today it is missing large parts of its roof while the stonework is in a state of decay.
The original roof supports and other period details remain, however, and options to secure the future of the building are being investigated by Dundee Heritage Trust.
There are hopes that an interim project that would weatherproof the mill and allow visitors to see the scale of the building from a special viewing area will receive funding.
If successful, the long-term aim to make the hall home to a city archive could then progress.
It is estimated that around £1.2 million will be required to complete the project, with the Scottish Government pledging £500,000 of this last year.
However, should the rate of decay accelerate and funding not be forthcoming to protect the building, then Mr Munsie admits that a part of Dundee’s history may have to be demolished.
”If the building is declared dangerous then demolition would be an option,” he added. ”It’s not something that we would want to do as we are a heritage organisation and the High Mill is a part of the wider museum complex.
”It’s a very important complex of industrial buildings and part of the city’s history. We want to find a way of saving this building.”
Editor’s link: the High Mill building on the Buildings At Risk Register for Scotland
Photo Fraser Macpherson