Bridge repair and strengthening at Keynston Mill Lane Bridge, Tarrant Keyneston

What was proposed

The application proposed taking down the partially collapsed masonry arch and replacing it with reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry beneath the building wall.

“Proposal: Take down the partially collapsed masonry arch and replace with a reinforced concrete arch (underneath the track) / reinforced masonry underneath the building wall.”

Officer report

The site and bridge

The bridge is a Grade II listed early nineteenth-century structure supporting the mill building and carrying a public footpath over the mill leat.

“The footbridge forms the masonry arch that spans the mill race/leat that feeds Tarrant Keyneston Mill. The footbridge is grade II listed - ref 1304079 and is early 19th Century. The footbridge is attached to the C19 undershot wheelhouse at the western end of the mill building and directly supports the front elevation of the wheelhouse and mill building.”

“The bridge arch is segmental, with a relatively flat profile. The arch is constructed of two half brick rings in stretcher bond. The arch’s abutments are brickwork and spring from the front wall of the Mill building. Beyond the downstream abutments are stone training walls. • The downstream headwall is of brick masonry construction with a layer of render atop in a curved profile. A second smaller arch is visible in the brickwork and runs parallel to the main arch.”

Officer report

Condition and earlier advice

The arch had partially collapsed, damaging the mill wall, and urgent stabilisation was needed; an earlier pre-application enquiry concerned bridge repairs.

“Description of development • The masonry arch has partially collapsed, likely due to regular flood water and debris washing through the wheelhouse from the River Stour. The collapse is affecting the main mill building wall, which the bridge supports, and having lost some support, is now trying to span the leat by arching up.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended granting listed building consent because the work was necessary, would preserve the bridge and mill, and would cause no harm to the listed building.

“Reason application is going to committee: The subject bridge is owned by Dorset Council. Summary of recommendation: GRANT listed building consent subject to conditions as set out in section 18 of this report. Reason for the recommendation: The proposed work is necessary and will preserve and enhance the historic fabric of the listed bridge by keeping it safe for users and safeguarding the attached Mill Building.”

Officer report

Public representations

No objections, comments or expressions of support were received from the public.

“Representations received Total - objections Total - No objections Total - comments 0 0 0”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Case Officer presented the site, proposal, heritage considerations and ecological assessment; there was no public participation.

The decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to the conditions in the minutes’ appendix.

“Decision: To grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.”

Minutes