One-man from the South West makes a living bringing derelict buildings back to life that no one wants. His latest project is a listed building in East Devon.
David Rhodes, from Colyton, bought the Old Mill, at the junction of Mill Street and King Street in Honiton, before the pandemic, not knowing what was in store until he put the keys in the lock.
The listed building dates back hundreds of years and was used as a mill, producing flour until 1968 – when there was a big flood that damaged the mechanism working the mill wheel.
It was then converted into a residential home around 1980, before it became empty around 2008 and has slowly fallen into a state of disrepair.
Mr Rhodes has breathed new life into five buildings across the South West in the past 12 years, making the most of the low-interest loans available thanks to EDDC’s partnership with Lendology – which allows people to borrow funds for home improvements and adaptions, renovating empty properties and improving energy efficiency.
In the last year, the Old Mill has been given a new roof, had stonework repaired and had the entrance changed, pathing the way so passers-by will soon be able to enjoy seeing the historic mill wheel – which is set to have special repair works.
Once completed, the property will be a three-bed house, as it was in 1980.
Mr Rhodes said:''I have been a builder for 25 years and have been renovating empty properties for the past 12 years''.
''I really enjoy the variety the work offers, not only the building work, but the planning and legal side of things. I was a landscape architect for five years – so these types of projects allow me to bring all my skills together''.
''There is a lot of unknown with historic and listed buildings that can make them really hard to deal with, which keeps developers away''.
"I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing I am bringing them back to life''.
''Empty properties can be real eyesores, and terrible to begin with, especially in this location, if you go past the Old Mill it really sticks, being in such a unique location''.
Honiton was originally a coaching stop. Its fine bow-fronted shops, Georgian buildings and inns are still very much visible today.
The Thelma Hulbert Gallery is located in a Grade II-listed town house, formerly the home and studio of the artist Thelma Hulbert.
The Glen is a six acre public woodland park. The Lower Glen was given to the people of Honiton by Major H H Lilley to commemorate the 1935 Silver Jubilee of King George V.
Councillor Dan Ledger, East Devon District Council portfolio holder for Strategic Planning said: ''Bringing long-term empty properties back into use is an important matter for the Council''.
"It’s essential we maximise the use of these properties to provide much needed accommodation and reduce the negative impact they have within the community''.
Do you have any memories of when the property was a working mill before the late 1960s? Let us know in the comments below.
