Windmill Education Building Feasibility Study
At the end of May two organisations were appointed by Lambeth Council to carry out a feasibility study into four different options for the new education building in Windmill Gardens.
The proposed building, agreed as part of Lambeth’s programme of capital investment into parks, will support Brixton Windmill. FoWG believe that the new building is essential if we are to secure the long term future of the Grade II* windmill and are to develop the successful education project established during the period we were supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Ian, Isabelle and Trisha of Clearview Consulting are currently talking to FoWG members and partners including the Windmill Cluster of schools, local businesses and Blenheim Gardens RMO, about the options. They will also be helping FoWG develop a sound business plan for the future that we hope will also include progressing our flour production.
Architects Squire & Partners are also working with the council and FoWG to develop designs for the education building. These include an option for a joint stay and play / education building as well as one for a separate new education building with the stay and play building remaining as it is.
Key to all the discussions is to ensure that any plan has no negative impact on Holmewood at the Windmill’s Stay and Play service or the users of Windmill Gardens.
The business plan must ensure that the new building can generate enough income to cover the revenue costs incurred for its running and maintenance.
The council is expecting both Clearview Consulting and Squire & Partners to deliver their final proposals by the middle of July, and the plan is that councillors will make a decision before the end of that month.
