AN industrial site next to a picturesque village water mill could be bulldozed after it goes under the hammer at auction.

A yard with offices and warehouses on Alderford Street, in Sible Hedingham, is coming up for auction next month.

The site is on the opposite side of the road to Alderford Watermill, which sits by the River Colne.

The historic mill has been lovingly restored by volunteers, and the grade two listed timber building is hailed as one of the best preserved in the county.

There has been a mill on the site since at least the late 16th Century, although the current building dates back to the 19th Century.

Halstead Gazette: Alderford Mill in Sible HedinghamAlderford Mill in Sible Hedingham (Image: Alderford Mill)

The site mainly milled corn until the Second World War when it was used to produce animal feed.

Essex County Council bought the mill in 1994.

It still has a water wheel which runs on open days staged by the Friends of Alderford Mill.

One of the mill's surviving millstones has also been restored to working order.

The run-down commercial property just yards away already has planning permission for a four-bedroom executive-style home.

Consent was granted in 2021 for demolition of the existing office and warehouses, and the construction of a house and a garage.

The site has a guide price of £215,000 or more when it goes up for auction with Clive Emson Land and Property Auctioneers.

Auctioneer Paul Bridgeman said: “This parcel of land and commercial units are situated adjacent to the picturesque Alderford Water Mill in the north Essex village of Sible Hedingham.

“The yard has four lock-up units plus an office as well as a yard area behind lockable gates.

"Planning permission has been granted for an executive-style house designed by Melville Dunbar Associates.”

The third of an acre site is among 135 lots going under the hammer on Wednesday, February 7.

Bidding starts on Monday, February 5.

Visit cliveemson.co.uk for more information.