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Grade II-listed windmill returned to white after colourful makeover

Danielle HerbertBBC Wales
BBC Picture of the windmill after it had been painted back to white. In front of the windmill is a red sign which reads 'Mr Holt's Mônuts'.BBC
Anglesey County Council said it was "aware that the mill has now been repainted" but the work was yet to be inspected

Wales' only working windmill has been returned to its original white colour after its owner broke council rules by painting it red, white and green without permission.

Melin Llynon, on Anglesey, was given a makeover in Welsh colours to mark the island hosting youth movement Urdd Gobaith Cymru's Eisteddfod.

Owner Richard Holt said he had intended to return the 250-year-old Grade II-listed mill to its original white after the week-long festival of music, dance and literature, but positive reaction had stopped him.

In August, Holt apologised to Anglesey council and said he did not realise he needed permission but understood he had "broken the rules".

Richard Holt in front of a windmill painted red, white and green with people outside it. He has short blond hair and wears glasses.
Richard Holt apologised to Anglesey council and said he did not realise he needed permission

A spokesperson for Anglesey County Council said it had been in regular contact with Holt, with the aim of seeing the mill "fully restored" back to its original white colour.

Holt previously said he would make a case to be allowed to retain the windmill's tricolour appearance, but the council said no application had been received.

It added: "We are aware that the mill has now been repainted, but we have not yet inspected the work. It is therefore not possible to confirm that all issues have been resolved."

Mistar Urdd mascot. A colourful character shaped like a triangle, with a green base, red middle, and white top. He wears a rainbow bucket hat and stands in a marquee.
The mill was painted to look like Urdd Gobaith Cymru mascot, Mistar Urdd

Holt said he was "amazed by the positive response to the new colours", following the summer makeover, and said "hundreds said they liked it".

After he was ordered to return it to its original colour, Holt apologised to the local authority, saying he "realises that they [the council] are only doing their job and I know that I have broken the rules".

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