A HERITAGE site in the Forest has been highlighted for good progress in a list of the buildings most at risk in the South West, with work on "urgent" repairs having started this year.

17th century charcoal blast furnace Gunns Mill, which is located near Flaxley, has been on Historic England’s ’Heritage at Risk Register’ for many years, but has been picked out for "Good Progress" in the 2021 list after work recently began to restore the structure.

The mill, which was acquired by the Forest of Dean Buildings Preservation Trust (FoDBPT) in 2013, has been supported by scaffolding since 2001 and was added to the ’at Risk’ register after it was deemed to be in a "perilous condition" by Historic England (HE).

The site consists of a blast furnace, which was used to make iron during the 17th century and was originally built in 1625 and rebuilt in 1682, as well as a large water wheel pit and other structures.

The trust says the mill is "one of the most complete of its kind in Britain", and have described it as "one of the most significant industrial structures" to survive from before the Industrial Revolution.

Some of the structures were modified when the site became an industrial paper mill in the 1740s, and it was used for that purpose until 1879, after which it was used for farming before falling into disrepair.

Since it acquired the mill, the trust has worked with HE, architects and engineers to stabilise the structure and identify long term solutions for the building.

And last month, with the help of an £80,000 grant from HE, recording work and urgent repairs got underway at the site.

A total of 77 sites which were removed from the ’at Risk’ register in the South West this year.

Following the publication of the register last week, Ross Symonds, Acting Regional Director at HE, commented: "The 77 sites saved this year in the South West, and the many examples of great progress made in 2021, show what’s possible with strong partnerships, dedicated individuals and funding support.

"But there is always more to do to give our cherished historic places the attention, investment and secure future they deserve."

HE says progress at the site will be made in "manageable phases" to enable the trust to work towards "reducing the risk and vulnerability of this nationally important building".

The site was bought around 25 years ago by Bill Parker of the Flour Mill steam engine restoration centre in Bream, to save it from being converted into a two-bedroom house.

He later handed it over to the trust, which was established in 2009 by a group of heritage professionals to conserve land and buildings in and around the Forest "of particular beauty or architectural interest".

Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper visited the site in June this year to see the progression of the restoration works first hand.

During the visit, Mr Harper praised the efforts of trustees to develop the site into "a top tourist attraction" in the Forest of Dean.

For more information about Gunns Mill, and other projects being carried out by the trust, go to fodbpt.org.