THE owners of Bournemouth’s historic Throop Mill have bowed to council pressure and agreed to carry out some repair work – averting a costly trial.

The two sides negotiated a compromise over the empty Grade II listed building, which sits on the River Stour.

The council had issued an enforcement notice to force the owners, Heygates Millers, to improve its condition, and the case was heading for a three-day trial in November.

Since the deal the lucam – the projected section of roof used to hoist flour – has been repaired, tiles have been replaced, and the gutters have been painted.

Throop councillor Ron Whittaker had been pushing for action since a conservation student told him in 2006 the building was at risk of water damage.

He said: “The front section is much improved – and this is the showcase.

“Unfortunately the end section is broken, but nevertheless the improvements are at long last welcome.”

The council has had to pay legal costs despite the aversion of the trial. Cllr Whittaker said: “Common sense has finally prevailed, although it has taken more than two years to get here.”

He said the guttering still needs clearing and replacing, and tree branches need cutting back. He said Heygates had given no firm indications about the future of the site.

Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of the council said: “We have varied the requirements of the notice and most of the requirements have been undertaken by the owners.”

There was mill on the site at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 – when it was valued at 76 pence – and the current building dates from 1912.

It was run by Parsons and Sons until Heygates bought it in 1957, and it stopped working in 1972 when water supplies dried up due to a flood relief scheme.

Heygates was asked several questions on Monday afternoon (October 20) but no-one from the firm has yet replied.