The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust has received a second round of support* from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Willow Court Farmhouse, Droitwich it was announced today. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to save and transform this historic 16th Century building into six new affordable homes.
Delivery funding of £2,328,595 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust (WBPT) progress the plans to convert the grade II listed farmhouse. The WBPT is working together in a new partnership with Wychavon District Council and Platform Housing Group to restore and convert this empty Grade II listed property.
Now with planning permission granted and the funds received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, essential conservation work can be undertaken to stabilise it, including preservation of a historic timber frame hidden inside, and create six new affordable flats. An apprenticeship programme is planned, alongside a series of local community events and activities which will help to unlock the lost history of the farm and surrounding land.
The property is currently owned by Wychavon District Council, who have been working with the Trust for the past five years to find a sustainable, viable future for the building and it is intended that upon completion, the flats will be leased by Platform Housing Group as affordable rent homes.
Commenting on the award, Sue Whitehouse, Chair of The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust said: “We have reached the very important delivery stage in our project at Willow Court Farmhouse after much hard work from our dedicated team and incredible support from the local community. We’re delighted that we’ve received this support from National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added to the funding we have previously received from Wychavon District Council and the Architectural Heritage Fund. We are now able to ensure that Willow Court Farmhouse will indeed be safe as houses!”
Cllr Rick Deller Executive Board Member for Housing and Regulatory Services on Wychavon District Council, said: “I’m delighted with the support of Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust, Platform Housing Group and National Lottery players we have been able to rescue this historic building and use it to make a real difference to people’s lives by providing new quality affordable places to live.”
Steve Eaves, Director of Regeneration for Platform Housing said, “Regeneration is going to be an important solution in solving some of our local housing issues and Willow Court is a great example of finding viable answers. It’s great news for everyone involved and our thanks go to Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust, Wychavon District Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We’re excited that this project can go ahead and we look forward to giving the building a new life.“
Notes to editors
Images
WBPT has permission to reproduce the attached images for publicity purposes:
1 – Timber frame structure inside Willow Court Farmhouse
2 – Willow Court Farmhouse Stakeholders with NLHF crossed fingers
3 – Willow Court Farmhouse under protective roof
About The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust.
The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust (WBPT) is a charitable company established to preserve for the benefit of the nation buildings of especial beauty or especial historic or architectural interest in the county of Worcestershire. Six historic buildings have been saved via WBPT’s work, most recently the conservation and renovation of Weavers’ Cottages in Kidderminster made possible with grants from a number of funders including the Heritage Lottery Fund (now the National Lottery Heritage Fund) and Architectural Heritage Fund. For details and more information about WBPT’s work, please see our website: https://wmhbt.org.uk/blog/willow-court-farmhouse-droitwich/
Follow Willow Court Farmhouse on Facebook
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in the strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next ten years, the Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.
The Heritage Fund helps protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.
The Heritage Fund is passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund www.heritagefund.org.uk
About The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF)
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK. We do this by providing advice, information and financial assistance in the form of early project grants and loans for projects undertaken by charities and not-for-private profit organisations.
The AHF believes that better places can be built through community enterprise. Historic buildings and places play an essential role in our everyday lives, our cultural identity and our economy. Our historic environment can inspire creativity and enterprise, it brings communities together, and it makes people happier about where they live. For 40 years, we have been supporting people achieve viable community-led solutions for the re-use of historic buildings at risk.
Follow @ArchHFundUK on Twitter and Facebook
Further information
For further information and interviews please contact The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust email admin@wmhbt.org.uk