County Council Statement on Eskdale Mill

As part of our Invest to Save and Improve Initiative, the Council agreed to sell the Mill and Cottage on the open market to ensure as wide a level of interest as possible. 

The closing date for offers was originally set for the 1st of September. We have been asked to extend the closing date to assist interest from a locally established trust and from certain others in the voluntary sector. To help them, the date has been extended to the 1st October in order that they may have more time to develop and submit a bid. 

There is considerable interest in the sale of the Mill, including interest from prospective buyers who wish to use the property for commercial purposes. 

The purpose of the Invest to Save and Improve Initiative, is to look at better ways of delivering council services, and to see where there is the opportunity to draw in extra investment from the public, voluntary or private sectors. 

The Council is in need of extra funding across a range of services in order to improve delivery. Significant extra capital investment is required in many of the activities for which the Council is responsible. So the Council is reviewing a whole range of its activities, of which this is one.