THE owners of a historic mill have defended their decision to close the award-winning Dales attraction after volunteers that run it expressed dismay over the move.

The North of England Civic Trust (NECT) said Gayle Mill in Wensleydale, which was a finalist in the BBC Restoration programme in 2004, needed to close for essential repairs.

Earlier this month, the Gayle Mill Trust (GMT) chairman, William Lambert, said members knew before Christmas that they would not be running the attraction for the coming season, but were not told what the future held for the mill, which is said to have helped clothe Britain, supported the local community and manufactured tools and equipment that has shaped the Yorkshire Dales landscape.

The NECT has confirmed the volunteers must clear out their equipment to enable remedial work at the 18th century mill to be carried out in phases, according to available funding.

It said the next programme of repairs could not be undertaken while the building is open to the public, so it would be shut until Easter 2019.

The work needed includes repairs to the leat, which could involve underpinning and riverbank stabilisation, upgrading the water power systems, improving facilities, and recording and stabilisation works to the mill pond.

The NECT says that the Gayle Mill Trust was advised in January 2016 that the building would need to shut, but because the group had already publicised and prepared for the next two seasons, NECT agreed to extend the occupancy licence until the end of the 2017 season.

The NECT said: “If GMT does so as it has stated (leaves the mill) at the end of March 2018, NECT can begin the process of surveys, apply for a range of consents and tender for the works.

“The mill therefore will need to be closed during 2018, but will reopen by Easter 2019 having benefitted from the fourth phase of investment and improvements by NECT – a commitment that began in November 1996.”

The director of conservation at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Gary Smith, said they would do all they could to assist the mill in reopening.

The authority previously donated more than £140,000 in restoration funds and Mr Smith described it as a “really important” part of the tourism offer in Gayle and Hawes.

The last chance to visit the mill will be on February 4.