Plaque unveiling at Kendal Almshouse Charity, which created two new, state-of-the-art homes for vulnerable people in South Cumbria, signalling a new era in social housing in the region.
Residents have now moved into the new almshouses. Each property is eco-friendly and highly energy efficient, with each comprising one bedroom, a bathroom and open-plan living, kitchen and dining area. The homes are built to high thermal efficiency standards and feature air-source heating and solar panels to generate electricity.
Kendal Almshouse Charity saw the potential to build two new homes on the site of a single 1950s dwelling which had been in trust and for the occupation of over-55s with strong local connections. This site, on Romney Road and near the Kendal War Memorial, benefits from easy access to the town centre while also being in a quiet neighbourhood surrounded by trees and wildlife.
Back in 2019, the trustees of Kendal Almshouse Charity began exploring options for the 1950s bungalow, known as Romleigh, when it became vacant. The trustees, in conjunction with H&H Land and Estates, explored various options in conjunction with leading specialists in the social housing sector. Ultimately, the most cost-effective and modern solution was to demolish the existing bungalow and develop two state-of-the-art one-bedroom bungalows on the site.
No building project is ever without its challenges and various obstacles such as the Covid pandemic, global events and escalating inflation all contributed to the equation! The work is now fully complete, and the first residents have moved in.
Kendal Almshouse Charity with their Almshouse Association Innovation for Living Award
Commenting on the project, Kendal Almshouses Chair Peter Ducksbury said,
“I am delighted we have created two beautiful new homes in Kendal for local people aged 55 or over who are in need. We are very proud of these beautiful new homes which bring our total number of houses to 42. Each property – old or new – is individual in its design and location. Our residents are our first priority and we aim to support them well through building quality new homes such as these or maintaining existing properties to the best of our ability.
“Our retained managing agents are H&H Land & Estates, who helped steer the building project through the many stages of concept, planning, design, development and fit-out.
“Our new homes have been made possible by funding awarded through the Community Led Homes Fund to assist with pre-development costs, including preparing tender documents and applying to Homes England for a grant under their Affordable Homes Programme. Grant funding was also secured from Homes England and the South Lakeland District Council (now Westmorland & Furness Council), as well as a loan and through Kendal Almshouses’ own reserves.”
Building work was awarded to Fylde Joinery & Building Services Ltd.
posted 26 November 2025