A SUPERMARKET giant which is preparing to build a new huge superstore in Goole want to refurbish a 19th century windmill as part of the scheme.
The firm has applied for planning permission to revamp the Grade II listed windmill that currently stands on the former Timms Flour Mill on Boothferry Road.
Morrisons is developing the site into a new 16,500 square feet store.
The supermarket g
iants plan to use the ground floor of the windmill, which is thought to have been built in the late 1800s, for storage space.
Morrisons has also confirmed it hopes to start building work on the supermarket, which could create 200 jobs in the town, this month.
Workmen moved onto the site shortly after the firm received planning permission earlier last year and are currently finishing preparatory work before starting the building.
A Morrisons spokesman said: "Initial groundworks are almost complete and the contractor will start on site in January.
"There is a listed windmill on the site, which will be refurbished as part of the development."
Michael Hobson, of the Boothferry Family and Local History Group, is delighted that Morrisons sees the windmill as an important feature of the development.
Mr Hobson, also a member of the Yorkshire Windmill Society, said: "Obviously Morrisons has to keep the windmill there because it is listed.
"But it is good to see they are hoping to refurbish it - it is well worth preserving.
"It is good for the town because apart from the docks there are not that many historical things left.
"The windmill is an important part of the local heritage and landscape."
The new store will also provide 160 car parking spaces for shoppers, have a covered cycle stand and dedicated spaces for motorcyclists.
A single point of access from Boothferry Road for customers and delivery vehicles will also be built.
The site has been the subject of several planning applications since the former mill was closed in 2001.
Morrisons has been seeking a suitable development site in Goole for a number of years and store chiefs believe this location is ideally suited for a supermarket.
Councillors gave the firm the go ahead to begin the scheme by approving planning permission in June.
