In the mid 1970s there was a very real threat of demolition and to turn the land into a car park. The Passmore Edwards Museum objected and were supported by the London Borough of Newham’s Planning Dept. There is a much detailed story behind this but without the intervention of the Governors of the Passmore Edwards Museum the House Mill would not be standing today.

Originally the Passmore Edwards Museum Trust took ownership of the House Mill to restore it and provide an extension of the museum service already managed by the Governors elsewhere in Newham. However in the late 1980’s, following severe funding cutbacks by the borough, the Governors withdrew their support for a museum in the Mill.

The Trust, now renamed as The River Lea Tidal Mill Trust, continued the aim to preserve and restore the House Mill. It sought financial assistance to complete its task and received generous support from several bodies, significantly, English Heritage and Stratford Development Partnership but also others. The Trust directors gave their time and effort over many years to ensure, through their professional team and builders, that the restoration was of the highest quality.