THE loss of a fine example of Chudleigh's industrial history could have been prevented, according to a member of

the town's history group, Alan Brunton.

He said this week that the blocking off of the Town Mill leat water supply had allowed the leat to dry out and deteriorate.

'In my opinion the fault lies with Teignbridge Council and the parish council. They should have seen the problems coming and acted upon them.

'We have lost a valuable historical asset which could have been preserved. Now so far down the line it is irreversible,' he said.

The leat was built 200 years ago by Napoleonic prisoners of war – a French centime was found there recently.

On Monday, Mr Brunton told Chudleigh Parish Council's monthly meeting that the water supply to the Town Mills had been blocked off because gardens were becoming boggy in Cavanna's Millstream Meadow development.

Mr Brunton said the level of the leat bed had been raised and the water

re-diverted back into the overflow channel of Kate Brook.

A two-three feet wide, two-three feet high wall had been built at the Cricketfield end of the leat and a 12 inch diameter pipe inserted.

'The water from a 12 inch pipe would not turn a water wheel,' he claimed.

Mr Brunton said the grade II listed Town Mill was purchased recently and the owner Chris Cox was refurbishing it and wanted to reinstate the water wheel.

'With no water that is impossible.

'Mr Cox owns the water rights of the leat and the right to a water supply. In Millstream Meadow the deeds of home owners, whose properties adjoin the leat, show they own the bed of the leat half way across for the length of their properties,' he said.

Mr Brunton added that he had contacted the Environment Agency and was told the likelihood was that there would never be water through the leat again and the water wheel would never be seen working again.

Cllr Ray Frost successfully proposed that the council should send a letter immediately to Teignbridge Council's development control department listing the points raised and requesting an urgent response.