Checking external condition of Fromehall Mill

After my recent recce I found a way to access the worst and east facing wall of Fromehall Mill, which is Grade 2 Listed. It is a building which the trustees of Stroud Preservation Trust have been concerned about for some years. We eventually found and made contact with the owner. It is an important mill building some of which dates back to the 18th century, if not earlier, although other additions have been made to the large site. Over the centuries its uses have altered to fit industrial changes.

I recorded a lot of pictures showing the very poor condition of the stonework and mullion windows, as well as the more recent roof and guttering.

The local Planning Authority, Stroud District Council consider it to be important and our task seems to be to get them to enforce repairs by the owner, which we know will be hard. He has made no effort to improve the situation for many years. The trustees will be discussing what next steps we can take.

The iron work on the left of the picture is the damaged sluice which adjusts water flow underneath the building from the leet on the left of the picture. It would formerly have driven water wheels to provide power to the mill. There is a millpond about thirty yards upstream through which the River Frome flows, from which the leets are channelled. The main river now flows around the building.

From an online listing:
Said in 1608 to have been even older than nearby Lodgemoor Mills. Hammer dressed rubble. Modern pitched roof. 4 storeys. 8 bays with segment-headed windows and stone arches. Plinth to former chimney. C17/C18 range to south of main block. Hammerdressed rubble. Pitched slate roof. 4 storeys. l0 ranges of mullioned casements.