Fairford Place Project

What do the Drapers do?

The Shrewsbury Drapers Company has been providing almshouses locally since 1444, and its modern successor – the registered charity Shrewsbury Drapers Holy Cross Limited – still does so today.  We have 51 flats in 5 locations in Shrewsbury and Newport, providing safe, comfortable and affordable accommodation for those living independently in their later years.  We are a registered social housing provider.   Our residents – all from the local area – are selected from those most in need and enjoy a secure home in a supportive and friendly community. 

What are we planning?

Our Fairford Place site just off Longden Coleham comprises 16 bed-sits.  Built in the early 1960’s, it is now in need of major refurbishment, and we aim to convert 12 of the bed-sits into one-bedroom apartments with  modern kitchens and shower units, and efficient heating.  We will also be building a new small block on the site (presently occupied by a bungalow), so we can offer homes to a further 8 people.

We have carefully considered how to integrate the new block of high-quality homes into the site while remaining sensitive to the setting.  The new unit will be around the same height as the existing 2-story range, and its main outlook will be into the existing communal garden. 

Is this necessary?

The need for affordable accommodation for older people in Shrewsbury has never been greater – and more than ever in the current cost-of-living crisis.  Local stakeholders and Shopshire Council have welcomed us building more social accommodation.  We understand that there will be some short-term inconvenience which we will seek to minimise. 

Why do we want to develop the site?

Shrewsbury Drapers want to be able to offer almshouses accommodation to more people in the town, so that they can enjoy the security, affordability and other benefits of living in an almshouse.  The Fairford site gives us the opportunity of building this new block for an additional 8 people.

We want to ensure that our properties remain attractive, up-to-date and meet modern needs.  We realise that a bed-sit – although suiting some people – is rather old-fashioned and lacks the privacy of having a separate bedroom.  We have been looking for some time for a way to give the existing units a separate bedroom.  Building new units in this project gives us a unique opportunity to modernise 12 of the bedsits without asking residents to leave.

What exactly are we planning to do?

We intend to demolish the existing bungalow and build a new 2.5-story house on the same site, facing into the garden.  The house will contain 8 one-bedroom flats, all to modern standards, including a lift to the upper floors.

We also intend to convert each bed-sit in the existing two-story block of 12 to a one-bed flat, completely refurbishing the kitchen and shower room.

The 4 single-story bedsits will remain unaffected. The Mulberry Room, which provides communal facilities will remain, but be refurbished under a separate project.

How much will it cost?

The overall cost of the project will be around £2.4m including all fees and expenses.  We expect to fund about a third of this from our own reserves, making up the balance with grants from Homes England and other donors, and through a commercial mortgage.

Will there be more residents on site?

Ultimately there will be 8 new almshouse residents.

Will residents have to move while we refurbish their flat?

We intend to build the new flats first.  When they are ready to be lived in, we would like 8 current residents to move into the new flats, allowing the contractor to refurbish their bed-sits.  The final 4 residents would then move within the new units to allow the final bed-sits to be refurbished. Finally, we will advertise for 8 new residents.

What is in it for existing residents?

Those who move into the new block will enjoy a larger flat with a separate bedroom and brand-new kitchen and shower room to the latest standards.  They will also have a lift to the upper floors.

Those who stay in the existing block will see their bed-sits converted to have a small separate bedroom, new shower room and modern kitchen-living area.

All flats will have good standards of insulation and modern heating systems; lighting and power sockets will all be new and more plentiful.  Doors and windows will be replaced inside and out.

What is the programme?

It is intended to start work in July.   If work proceeds to time the new block should be completed in spring 2025, and all the work finished by the end of 2025.