AN 18TH century former corn mill — a once important part of the industrial heritage of the Isle of Wight — is to be auctioned off next month. 

One of the highlights of Clive Emson's seven auctions this year will be the auctioning of West Mill, a Grade II-listed freehold block of seven flats and two garage blocks.

It is located just north of Carisbrooke Road, by the junction with Wellington Road, Newport.

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This 1940s photo is an early experimental colour photo, not colourised, taken from where is now Wellington Road in Newport. The mill pond is still visible, although the mill itself was no longer working. The pond has long gone.This 1940s photo of West Mill is an early experimental colour photo, not colourised, taken from where is now Wellington Road in Newport. The mill pond is still visible, although the mill itself was no longer working. The pond has long gone. (Image: Alan Stroud) The former corn mill, situated on Lukely Brook, has a guide price of £450,000-plus.

The seven properties within are currently let at £43,380 per annum, with an estimated rental income of £50,460, said Rob Marchant, regional director and auctioneer.

He added: “This former water mill comprises seven two-bedroom flats and sits on a substantial plot of 0.45 acres.

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"As well as the main building, there are two substantial garage blocks, which may offer scope and potential for future development, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.

“Currently let, the flats are producing a very healthy income — and are considered ideal for continued use as an income producing investment.”

Joint auctioneers are Gully Howard.

West Mill has three storeys, with loft and basement, and had a mill pond to the west of it. The mill pond has been filled in and the area developed.

The mill pond dam, across Lukely Brook, was breached, filled in and reclaimed. The area has been developed, with a garage on top of where the pond once was.

West Mill circa the late 1970s or early 1980sWest Mill circa the late 1970s or early 1980s (Image: Alan Stroud) West Mill circa the late 1970s or early 1980sWest Mill circa the late 1970s or early 1980s (Image: Alan Stroud) There were once 14 mills located along the River Medina and Lukely Brook, plus several breweries, a tannery and crockers and dyers — all industries requiring large quantities of water for their work.

West Mill today forms part of The Mill Trail, a walk that celebrates the industrial heritage of the rivers of Newport and Carisbrooke — enjoyed as either an eight-mile town and country walk, or a shorter four-mile circular town route.

In 1844, John Hardley was recorded as being in occupation of West Mill, which was powered using a breast-shot waterwheel, 12ft in diameter and 8ft wide.

Trout fishing was offered to let by day, or week, by the tenants, T. R. and J. Roach, according to the County Press in 1892.

The mill has been rebuilt and extended three times, but the wheel has always been in the same position at the south end of the building.

West Mill is built of stone and has a slate gambrel roof. Beneath its three storeys, there is a further storey hidden in a light-well below the ground.

The granary floor was in the roof space.

"The size of the building and the wheel indicates it was, at one time, a very large trading mill," according to J. Kenneth Major, in his book, The Mills of the Isle of Wight, published in 1970.

The mill eventually ceased working in the 1950s.

After a period of being used as a furniture warehouse, the mill building was converted into apartments in the early 1990s.

For further details, go to the Clive Emson Auctioneers website.