Housing estate will block my wind... says windmill owner
THE owner of one of Britain’s finest Georgian windmills has condemned town hall chiefs over plans to build 120 houses nearby – claiming they will block the wind.
If the development gets the green light the homes will be built in the shadow of the 200-year-old Berkswell Windmill.
The 70ft-high landmark near Balsall Common, was snapped up by Jeanette McGarry in 2005 as a wreck.
She spent £200,000 and five years restoring the grade II-listed building back to its former glory, including painting the enormous five-tonne sails by hand.
The 19th century four-bladed tower was recently described by English Heritage as one of the “finest Georgian windmills in Britain”.
It is also thought to be the only working windmill in the country still using all of its original machinery which has remained intact.
But now the land surrounding the impressive structure has been earmarked for a major housing development.
Ms McGarry, 58, is begging Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to turn down the plans, claiming the homes will block the flow of the wind and cause the sails to stop turning.
Local people also say the proposed site is home to 22 different species of endangered British wildlife and have offered alternatives sites that are available for redevelopment. A final decision is expected later this year. The mother-ofthree, a local government worker, said: “The area earmarked for houses is on green fields opposite the windmill. There’s talk of 120 houses and flats going there.
“A study found that if you build there, then you’re going to disrupt the flow of the wind and the sails may not turn.
“All of the fields on the opposite side of the windmill are part of the plans. I would say the closest field is 25 metres from the windmill.
“You literally step out of the windmill and you’ve got the fields that are there.
“The Conservatives on the council just seem to be hell-bent on pushing forward. Boris Johnson was specifically asked by our local MP Saqib Bhatti in the House of Commons about this.
“His answer was no, and Solihull Council should be building on brownfield land first. Even the Prime Minister said they should focus on brownfield sites first.”
The current brick windmill was built in 1826 and produced flour until it fell into disrepair in 1948.
Following restoration, the mill now produces five tonnes of flour each month as well as providing a visitor centre for tourists and school groups.