Exeter Homes Trust unveils plans for Exeter Almshouses

Residents of the historic Atwill Palmer Almshouses in Exeter will be offered alternative accommodation while improvement work to three historic Victorian buildings in Exeter.

Atwill Palmer Almshouses, in New North Road, contain 24 one-bedroom apartments, arranged over two floors. The proposed programme of work at Atwill Palmer is expected to take 24 months, during which time, residents will be offered alternative accommodation within Exeter Homes Trust’s stock of homes.

The remodelling work will provide residents with updated and energy efficient apartments, more suited to modern day living requirements. Exeter Homes Trust, formerly known as The Exeter Municipal Charity, was founded over 900 years ago.

Providing housing for people, who are unable to remain in their own homes by reason of failing health or reduced circumstances, the Charity owns and manages 149 properties in the city. The proposed scheme will be part funded by Homes England grant and the next step, for the project, is for the statutory planning application to be submitted to Exeter City Council.

Alan Williamson, Chairman of the Charity’s Directors board, said: “The apartments require updating to make them more user friendly as, in their current state, they do not meet contemporary living standards.

“With buildings of such historical importance, the main objective is to retain the distinctive character while upgrading the apartments to make them more modern and energy efficient. Russ Palmer’s design represents a sympathetic modernisation of the apartments that both respects the buildings’ past, but also delivers more practical and ergonomic accommodation for the future.”

We are committed to providing accommodation for our residents of the very best standard. We are, therefore, continually re-evaluating our buildings and budgets in order to identify any improvements that could be made to future proof the accommodation, making it as sustainable and comfortable as possible.”