Historic England: A Guide to Managing Change

We are pleased to announce that Historic England has published their eagerly awaited advice note: Historic Almshouses: A Guide to Managing Change.

The advice note suggests how the heritage significance of almshouses can be conserved as proposals for upgrading are developed.

As times change and the need for affordable accommodation is widely felt, provision of appropriately accessible and comfortable homes with contemporary standards of accommodation, allowing residents to remain independent in their homes for as long as possible, is essential. Almshouses derive a distinctive form from their use in providing communal housing, which has continued for centuries. This advice note suggests how significance can be retained while supplying more comfortable and appropriate housing.

Contents

Introduction
What are almshouses?
Historical overview
Legal and policy background
An approach to change in almshouses
Characteristic changes to almshouses
Applications for change
Further reading

Published 7 April 2025

Download here: Historic Almshouses: A Guide to Managing Change (PDF, 1.07 MB)

The advice note is accompanied by case studies (see below) illustrating good practice in developing proposals for development works affecting listed almshouses.

Case studies

The following case studies accompany the advice note and illustrate good practice in developing proposals for development works affecting historic almshouses.

As proposals for change should be developed following the staged approach given in section 7 of the advice note, a brief historical and architectural background is sketched in, followed by a discussion of the need for change in each case and how the proposal conserves significance and avoids harm.

Archbishop Holgate Hospital, Hemsworth, West Yorkshire – Window refurbishment work and a new visitor room.
Emery Down Almshouses (Boultbee Cottages), Lyndhurst, Hampshire – Extension to each cottage for new kitchens and bathrooms.
Hugh Sexey’s Hospital, Bruton, Somerset – New community room.
Joseph Crossley Homes, Halifax, West Yorkshire – Refurbishment of windows for operability and energy efficiency.
Sir Roger Manwood Hospital, Canterbury – Four additional almshouse units.

Special thanks to all the almshouse charities who helped Dr Richard Morrice write the case studies and allowed him to photograph their buildings.

Accessibility

If you require an alternative, accessible version of this document (for instance in audio, Braille or large print) please contact us Customer Service Department Telephone: 0370 333 0607 Email: customers@HistoricEngland.org.uk

posted 9 April 2025