St Michael’s Place Delivery Grant press release
Released: 10am on 10th July 2025
A Homely Future secured for St Michael’s Place
A Building Preservation Trust charity has been awarded £2,825,000 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the St Michael’s Place project in Warwick, it is announced today. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to save historic buildings at an 800-year-old hospital site and transform them into new affordable rent homes.
The funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will help West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, which is part of the West Midlands Heritage Trust group, implement plans to repair and refurbish the Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel in Saltisford, Warwick, both Grade II* listed historic buildings that date from the 15th century. West Midlands Heritage is working in partnership with Warwick District Council to restore and convert these empty listed buildings for use as affordable rent houses, transforming a site that has been derelict for over 50 years.
Below ground remains of earlier buildings are a Scheduled Ancient Monument as they date back to the 13th century and early use of the site as a Leper hospital.
The collaboration between a Building Preservation Trust and Local Authority to rescue heritage buildings at risk for sustainable use as affordable rent housing extends a model that West Midlands Heritage has used in Worcestershire and tackles two important issues: creating a viable secure use for historic buildings at risk and providing more affordable rent homes.
A Heritage Community Assistant role is to be created and opportunities to learn about heritage craft skills are planned, alongside a series of local community events and activities which will help to unlock the history of the site and surrounding land.
Volunteers, local groups and schools will be able to take part in the project through events and training opportunities, allowing even more people to enjoy and play a part in Warwick’s heritage. To find out more about the project visit the website: https://wmhbt.org.uk/blog/masters-house-and-st-michaels-chapel-saltisford-warwick/
Commenting on the award, Corinne Brazier, Chair of West Midlands Heritage said: “We have reached the very important delivery stage in our project at St Michael’s Place, Warwick, 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 Warwick District Council, Historic England, and The Architectural Heritage Fund. We are now able to ensure that St Michael’s Place will have a very homely future!”
Liz Bates, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “We are pleased to support West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust with a grant of £2.8million, as we celebrate awarding a total of £2bn of National Lottery and other funding to projects across the Midlands & East of England. Thanks to National Lottery players, these remarkable medieval buildings will be rescued from decades of dereliction. Their new lease of life will benefit Warwick and complement our other investments in the historic town such as the Lord Leycester Hospital.”
Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing Councillor Helen Adkins commented: “I’m delighted that with the support of West Midlands Heritage, Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, and the National Lottery players we will be able to preserve the legacy of the site and rescue these long neglected historic buildings, offering them a sustainable future.”
Notes for Editors
Images accompanying this press release
‘St Michael’s Place funding announcement’: Representatives of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, West Midlands Heritage, Warwick District Council, and project architects BHB Architects, on site at the scaffolded Master’s House, St Michael’s Place, Warwick.
‘St Michael’s Chapel (foreground) and Master’s House (background) IMG_0430’: The historic buildings at St Michael’s Place, Warwick, prior to scaffold protection of the Master’s House.
‘Master’s House prior to scaffold protection IMG_3624’: The Grade II* listed Master’s House at St Michael’s Place, Warwick, prior to scaffold protection.
About West Midlands Heritage Trust
West Midlands Heritage Trust (WMHT) is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) established to preserve for the benefit of the nation buildings of especial beauty or especial historic or architectural interest across the West Midlands. It acts as an umbrella organisation and group lead for three West Midlands based Building Preservation Trusts that include West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust.
Over 50 historic buildings have been saved by projects carried out by the West Midlands Heritage group, most recently the conservation and renovation of Willow Court Farmhouse, Droitwich, Worcestershire made possible with grants from a number of funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wychavon District Council and The Architectural Heritage Fund. For details and more information about WMHT’s work, please see our website: https://wmhbt.org.uk/blog/
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About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6 billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
Further information
For further information and interviews please contact West Midlands Heritage Trust email admin@wmhbt.org.uk or phone 07863 167367