The refurbishment of Grade II listed Shawford Mill, which was originally constructed in 1785 is now nearing completion. The 1,800 sq ft Grade II listed building overlooks the mill stream of the River Itchen at Shawford and now comprises three floors of mainly open plan highly energy efficient office accommodation, together with onsite car parking for approximately 12 vehicles and the additional potential of document storage in a separate building.
The building is highly sustainable, principally due to the restoration of the Gilkes-Frances turbine, which was originally installed in 1932 and runs in the mill race. The turbine is automatically controlled and highly efficient having a maximum output of 15kW during winter months, and will provide the occupier with extremely beneficial power rates for electricity and for heating through a Water Source Heat Pump system, which extracts heat from the river Itchen.
Andrew Newman from marketing agents Hollis Hockley said “In my 35 years’ experience in the commercial property sector, The Shawford Mill restoration is unique and although at an early stage in the marketing process, we have generated significant interest from a number of different parties. We are inviting offers of a minimum 10 year lease term at an asking rental of £40,000 per annum exclusive which, when low rates and cheap utility costs are added, compares very favorably with the cost of operating a Winchester City Centre office with very limited car parking. Access to the building is first class with Shawford main line station being within five minutes’ walk and Junctions 10 and 11 of the M3 motorway being within five minutes’ drive.’’
The building been restored over the last three or four years by owner Phil Colebourn, whose company Ecological Planning & Research Ltd formerly used the Mill as their offices. Phil commented “The Mill is a wonderful building in a glorious location astride a branch of the Itchen. I used to watch the Kingfishers whilst at my desk. It has been a joy to be able to restore the Mill and its historic turbine”. If the future tenant is a fishing enthusiast, permission may be granted on suitable terms to use the owners fishing rights in the Mill Stream, a prime salmon and trout site.
