These early 19C listed town buildings were originally purchased by the County Council for road scheme purposes for which the whole site was not eventually required. As a consequence of unauthorised works to the building, a public enquiry was held by the Department of the Environment, following which it was made clear to the County Council by the Secretary of State that the buildings must be preserved. The Trust subsequently acquired the buildings from the County Council and prepared a scheme for the restoration and conversion of the buildings at a cost of £110,000, putting the buildings in good order and in particular preserving the wheel-pit of the mill as evidence of its previous use. The buildings were acquired in 1992 by English Nature for use as their offices.