HISTORIC listed Gunns Mill blast furnace, near Mitcheldean, has been acquired by a new organisation that aims to take charge of the Dean's most vulnerable buildings.
The Forest of Dean Buildings Preservation Trust (FoDBPT) has been set up by a group of heritage professionals who have already taken on the preservation of Whitecliff Ironworks, near Coleford.
Gunns Mill was built by industrialist Sir John Wintour in 1625. The FoDBPT says it "is one of Britain's most significant industrial structures" surviving from before the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries.
"It is considered by English Heritage to be of national, if not of European importance, and is almost certainly the oldest surviving blast furnace, complete with its original lining and 'charging house' on top, that exists in Europe, if not in the world."
The property is currently covered in scaffolding and tarpaulins paid for by English Heritage, who have placed it on their 'At Risk' list. It was bought nearly 20 years ago by Bill Parker, who runs the Flour Mill steam-engine restoration centre at Bream, to save it from being converted into a two bedroom house. He has now handed over the building to the FoDBPT, of which he is treasurer.
Mr Parker said: "The Forest of Dean Buildings Preservation Trust seems to be the ideal solution for Gunns Mill. The trustees have a broad range of interests and contacts that can tap into the resources available locally, regionally and nationally to preserve and promote the Forest's amazing built heritage, of which this is probably the best example.
"For instance, with two former directors of Dean Heritage Museum involved, including Ian Standing who told me about Gunns Mill in the first place, there is no shortage of historical expertise!"
Mr Standing added that the importance of the building had grown in stature since the discovery that the wooden structure at its top, at one time believed to be part of a later paper mill on the site, had been dendro-dated by English heritage and found to be part of the original foundry.
Nevertheless it would be a "very challenging job" to preserve it.
The Trust's conservation officer, Kate Biggs, who is also heritage project officer for the Wye Valley AONB, said that while finishing outstanding work at Whitecliff was their priority for the time being, once it was out of the way work could begin on Gunns Mill – probably at some time next year.
"There was not a lot a private individual could do about Gunns Mill with a restoration figure of something like £2.5 million, but with the formation of the Trust we are able to apply for funding and that is what I am going to be working on.
"However, although Gunns Mill is a very important historical site English Heritage would like to see Whitecliffe finished so that we can show a track record for projects of this kind."