A community is a step closer to saving a much-loved windmill after a proposal to sell it off to raise funds.

Killick's Mill, in South Street, Meopham, was one of eight windmills at risk of being sold off by Kent County Council last year as the cash-strapped authority attempted to claw back some much-needed money.

Now the Grade II-listed mill stands a better chance of survival after residents rallied together to apply for the village landmark to be made an asset of community value (ACV).

Under UK legislation, voluntary and community organisations and parish councils can nominate an eligible property asset to be included in a “list of assets of community value”.

According to KCC’s website, if the owner of a property on the ACV list decides to sell it, a “moratorium period” will be triggered, during which the asset cannot be sold.

This allows community groups time to develop a proposal and raise the required funds to bid for the property when it is offered for sale at the end of the period.

Meopham mill trustee David Denman is delighted their bid was successful.

He said: “In obtaining the ACV it offers a level of protection for any future proposed sale of the mill.

“In our case, it relates to the land on which it stands, which we trustees own, but have a 999-year lease on the mill, which currently KCC owns.

“It would make it more complex for the mill to be sold but the ACV gives our Meopham community a level of protection and a significant input in the future of the land usage.”

Along with the application, the Friends of Meopham Mill - which was founded by Mr Denman - is also applying for charitable incorporated organisation status to help reinforce its case to retain the building for community use.

He explained: “As owners, KCC has been very good in meeting its obligations to maintain the mill and the other eight KCC-owned mills.

“We would welcome the decision for the council to retain them.

“Should they be disposed of it would endanger their futures as historic buildings to be enjoyed by the communities within Kent.”

Built in 1801 the mill is one of just a few six-sided smock mills in the UK.

A spokesman for Gravesham council said: “It will soon be returned to a potential working condition and as such has a Historic Listed Building Grade II* listing.

‘Villagers are proud to be a part of the mill’

“The Meopham windmill meets the definition of having community value in that it provides community focus giving the local community a sense of ownership and cohesion.

“Villagers are proud to be a part of the mill. It is beneficial to local business, attracting tourists to the area who will use the windmill’s services.

“The windmill also provides a sense of purpose to local volunteer and interest groups.”

Last November, KentOnline reported how KCC had started looking at options for the future of its windmills after estimating that maintaining the historic buildings had cost it almost £890,000 in the past four years.

The plans would see the Grade I and Grade II-listed buildings available for anyone to purchase – provided they can keep to the stipulations attached.

Those affected were Chillenden Mill in Goodnestone, Dover; Davison’s Mill in Stelling Minnis; Drapers Mill in Margate; Herne Mill in Herne Bay; Killick’s Mill in Meopham; Stocks Mill in Wittersham, Ashford; Union Mill in Cranbrook; and West Kingsdown Mill in Sevenoaks.

The results from KCC’s public consultation, which ended on January 29, will be presented to its Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee.

A decision will then be made by its cabinet member for the environment on whether or not to sell the eight windmills it owns.