A PROJECT to restore some of Warwick’s most important historic buildings is now making headway.
The development of St Michael’s Place will see the Grade II listed Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel in Saltisford sensitively and sympathetically converted for residential use.
The past few weeks has seen onsite investigations and preparatory works taking place ahead of the start of building work. This has included geophysical examinations and the installation of test trenches for future service provision.
The St Michael’s Place project, led and part funded by Warwick District Council in partnership with the
West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, was awarded £40,000 by Historic England in 2023 to facilitate the specialist archaeological investigations on the site. Further funding of £138,838 has been given by players of the National Lottery to support the development of an historic interpretation programme.
St Michael’s is a rare surviving example of a leper hospital and has a long history of use documented from the 12th century onwards.
A single-cell stone chapel and a timber-framed building constructed on earlier foundations, known as the Master’s House, are the only surviving structures and date from the 15th century. Both are Grade II listed, have suffered long-term dereliction, and are on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.
Sue Whitehouse, chair of West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support from Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund and aim to work with the local community in the area as we develop the project further over the coming months. These investigations on site, are the first step to ensuring that St Michael’s Place will indeed have a sustainable future.”
WDC’s housing spokesperson Coun Paul Wightman added: “I’m very pleased to see significant progress on this important project. This will rescue and breathe new life to these long neglected historic buildings and introduce much needed new housing to this excellent town centre location.”
