LANDMARK historic buildings in Warwick will soon be getting a facelift after decades of neglect.
New fencing is being installed around St Michael’s Place ahead of work beginning on a £2.8million restoration of two buildings.
It is home to St Michael’s Chapel, a rare surviving example of a leper hospital with a long history of use documented from the 12th century onwards. Dating back to 1275 it is one of only three remaining leper hospital sites in the country.
A single-cell stone chapel and a timber-framed building constructed on earlier foundations, known as the Master’s House, sits next to it and dates from the 15th century.
Both Grade II listed buildings, which have been derelict for half a century, have been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register for years.
The Heritage Lottery Funded project, which is being undertaken by the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust in partnership with Warwick District Council, will see both buildings sympathetically redeveloped into affordable rented homes.
WDC’s housing spokesperson Coun Jessica Melrose said: “Ahead of development work starting in in the new year, we will be erecting a section of protective heras fencing at the front of this important heritage site.
“We are also pleased to report the news from our partners at the West Midlands Historic Building Trust, Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund that the work is progressing in a timely and considered way to ensure these two buildings are brought back into use to ensure their future.”
