A WINCHESTER landmark could be destroyed and a major bridge damaged if flood defence works are not carried out, a report has revealed.

Civic chiefs are growing concerned about the City Mill and City Bridge unless measures are taken soon.

They have rushed through a decision to approve an additional £500,000 spending.

The money, approved by Winchester City Council’s cabinet, will be spent on the second phase of the Durngate flood relief scheme, which aims to control the flow of water from the River Itchen.

The project, which includes installing three new sluice gates, had initially been estimated to cost £720,000. However, further investigative and technical work has meant significant changes to the design and brings the cost to £1.25 million.

It was agreed by councillors that the extra £500,000 would come from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding, money generated from a charge on new developments.

According to a report to cabinet: “The National Trust has been repairing City Mill from the flood damage suffered in 2014, and have been carrying out modelling work on the stability of the structure.

“This has shown that the building is extremely vulnerable to damage from flooding, at water heights which are within the anticipated flood levels in the future according to the latest flood modelling.

“The analysis has shown that the damage would likely manifest as a total collapse of this Grade II* listed building, severely restricting river conveyance and immediately threatening the City Centre/Water Lane areas with substantial flooding; there is also a risk to the downstream City Bridge, a Grade I listed structure.

“Providing the second phase of the Durngate scheme would help protect the building and would thereby reduce the flood risk.”

Ric Weeks, the mill’s manager added: “We are working on a number of joint measures with the Environment Agency and the council to do everything we can to protect the Mill, the wider landscape and the community, in the event of future flooding.”

Winchester City Mill ,the oldest working watermill in Britain dating back more than a 1,000 years, suffered damage in the floods of 2013/14.

According to the report, the scheme would have a 100-year lifespan and would “require very little maintenance”.

It did acknowledge animals including otters, water voles, salmon and bats could be impacted, but said mitigation measures would be provided.