Brighton Corporation bought Mile Oak Farm on 2 January 1890 with the intention of building a waterworks and pumping station there. This was completed in 1900 to the design of James Johnston, who also designed two adjacent cottages for waterworks employees (these are now locally listed buildings). The Corporation intended that the surrounding land should remain undeveloped to preserve the purity of the water. Also in 1900, a rifle range was opened to replace an earlier facility in east Brighton. It was used by the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. It was in an isolated position north of Mile Oak Farm on the slopes of the South Downs; this seclusion made it an ideal location. The facility was set to be closed in September 1934, but it was used throughout World War II. No trace of it remains.