The fight continues for a village that could lose its iconic windmill which campaigners say is part of the fabric of the community.

Last year, KentOnline revealed Kent County Council (KCC) was considering selling off eight windmills it owns in a bid to cut costs.

It comes after it was estimated that the cost of maintaining the historic buildings was almost £890,000 in the last four years and would be almost the same amount during the next six years.

But this has left villagers in Herne and Broomfield concerned over the future of their beloved Herne Mill, which has been described as a focal point of the area.

Friends of Herne Mill is a charity which looks after the mill and runs events from it as well as public tours.

Long-serving secretary Monica Blyth says it was a huge shock to find out KCC’s plans.

“There was shock for everybody and no one saw it coming,” she said.

“The general feeling was we have to fight this if at all possible and talk to residents to see what their views are.”

After the news broke, Friends of Herne Mill gathered at the village’s community centre to raise awareness of KCC’s proposition and ensure the public had their say, especially those who do not have access to the internet to see the online consultation.

She said: “We’ve spoken to a lot of residents locally and held three sessions at the community centre last week talking to residents about it. We have a lot of elderly residents in our parish and a lot of them don’t use the internet and of course, the consultation is online.

“Residents have been very supportive. They don’t want to see these iconic buildings lost and going into private ownership.

“I know it’s a difficult situation and money is tight but once the buildings are gone, they're gone.”

The 73-year-old says the mills are vital to the community and fears Herne Mill could become a house if sold off.

“We put on events at the mill and give tours of it and show people how it works, this is really important for children to see,” she said.

“It’s invaluable. The windmill is very much a part of the village and always has been.

“It’s the logo of the Parish Council and the local schools and it would be a very sad loss if it went into private lease.

“There are no guarantees that it would remain open to the public or even that it would remain as a mill as it is now

“ Even though it is a Grade I-listed building, I understand that it could be converted into a dwelling subject to local planning, or a local business.”

She added the group will continue its efforts to get the news out and ensure everyone can access the consultation.

Herne and Broomfield Parish Council chairman Cllr Carol Davis backs the charity’s efforts to save the mill and is urging KCC not to put the “death knell on the iconic mill”.

“This wonderful Grade I-listed building is highly valued by our residents,” she said.

“It is not just an icon, if this mill were to lose its current status KCC would destroy its meaning for our community,” she said.

“It also serves as a unique meeting place for many of our local groups, who meet in the adjoining Wootton Room. Local children, and adults too, love visiting the mill and it is educational for them to learn about how it works and the history of local farms that had their grain milled there.

“A windmill has occupied the site for centuries and can be seen from far and wide on the skyline.

“I know that KCC is looking for ways to save money, but there are other ways this could be done, especially when it seems so much money is wasted.

“The Friends of Herne Mill volunteers have looked after the day-to-day running of the mill for many years and their dedication should be rewarded. Although Herne Mill may be legally owned by KCC, they should hold it in perpetuity for the community they represent.”

KCC bought the mills between the late 1960s and mid-1980s and any new owners must keep to specific stipulations.

Windmills across the county at risk include Chillenden Mill near Dover, Union Mill in Cranbrook, Drapers Mill in Margate, Killick’s Mill in Meopham, Davisons Mill in Stelling Minnis near Folkestone, West Kingsdown Mill near Sevenoaks and Stocks Mill in Wittersham near Ashford.

Papers set out by KCC for the consultation says the authority needs to “limit spending” to balance the books adding one way of doing so is by “keeping capital spending to a minimum” while stating: “The level of spend on windmills in comparison to all other assets must be questioned.”

The consultation ends on January 29.