Higher Mill, East Block

BUCKFASTLEIGH

SX76NW HIGHER MILL LANE, Buckfast 1011-1/1/41 Higher Mill, east block 06/01/83 (Formerly Listed as: HIGHER MILL LANE, Buckfast Higher Mill, premises of Buckfast Plating Co Ltd)

GV II

Part of Higher Mill, a detached block said to have been partly used as a wool store. Disused at time of survey (1992). Multi-phase, probably remodelled c1860s. Local stone rubble with some red brick dressings; asbestos slate roof, half-hipped at ends with axial fire wall projecting through ridge; large external stack at west end with truncated red brick cylindrical shaft. Plan: sited east of and at right-angles to the 2 earlier listed blocks of the mill (qv). 2 storeys and attic. Roof pitch slightly different on either side of the axial fire wall. 4-window south side with 2 ground-floor windows with timber lintels, the right-hand window converted from a doorway. 4 first-floor windows with red brick jambs either boarded or with C20 glazing; central first-floor doorway with paired plank doors; gabled attic doorway with remains of gantry. The east end has one large ground-floor doorway and a smaller door to the right where a now-demolished building was attached. 4 boarded first-floor windows; 2 attic windows; heavy scrolled metal bracket projects from eaves in the centre. North side has 3 visible recessed 2-light casements with brick arches and jambs; single-storey lean-to built against side to right. 5 blocked first-floor windows with brick arches and jambs. INTERIOR: ground floor has cross-braced joists with massive additional strengthening at east end. First floor and attic not seen but may retain features of interest. Historical note: documentation concerning the mill site has been researched and is held by Elizabeth Knowling, Buckfastleigh. There has been a mill on the Higher Mill site since at least 1730, a tucking mill recorded here in 1760. In 1861 the mill was bough by Hamlyns, the family who owned Town Mill in Buckfastleigh (see Hamlyn House (qv)) and this building may have been erected or refurbished at that date. The mill was converted to a plating works in 1953 and is now disused. (Knowling E: Private archive: 1991-).

Listing NGR: SX7394267365