THE RESTORATION of an historic site in Warwick has finally begun.
Over the past 800 years, St Michael’s Place in Saltisford has evolved from a medieval leper hospital to alms houses and Chapel with a Master’s House, and even partial conversion at one time to a blacksmith’s workshop, before the entire site fell into disuse and stood empty and neglected for decades.
The project will see the Grade II-listed, which has been on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register since the first edition in 1998, transformed into new affordable rent homes.
The £2.8million project has been made possible through a partnership between West Midlands Heritage and Warwick District Council, which stepped in with a Compulsory Purchase Order in 2021, and funding from the National Lottery.
The work will be carried out by Splitlath Ltd, a specialist building conservation company that has been trading since 1867. Volunteers, local groups and schools will also be able to take part in the project through events and training opportunities.
Corinne Brazier, chair of West Midlands Heritage, said: “We are delighted to have reached this important point in the delivery stage of our project at St Michael’s Place, Warwick, after much hard work from our dedicated team and incredible support from the local community.
“This has only been made possible thanks to funding from National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund, adding to funding awarded by Warwick District Council, Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Pilgrim Trust and Warwick Town Council.
“We are now able to ensure that St Michael’s Place will return to providing homes, continuing a thread in time that stretches back for 800 years on this site.”
WDC’s housing spokesperson Coun Jess Melrose was equally pleased to see the work underway.
“It is great news that work is finally starting. This has been a key priority, preserving an important part of Warwick’s heritage while securing its future. I am grateful to the dedication and commitment of the team involved especially those at West Midlands Heritage and the funders for this project.”
West Midlands Heritage has been able to progress the scheme through various stages since the start of the Trust’s involvement in 2016 thanks to funding awards over the past decade, including from WDC (£1,213,000), The Architectural Heritage Fund (£390,300), Historic England (£440,000), The Pilgrim Trust (£15,000), Warwick Town Council (£5,000), and The National Lottery Heritage Fund (£2,964,200).
