East Devon’s commitment to affordable, community-led housing was celebrated this month as His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester officially opened two new almshouse developments in Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary.
As Royal Vice-Patron of The Almshouse Association, His Royal Highness visited both communities to mark significant milestones for local charities providing secure, affordable homes for older residents.
In Budleigh Salterton, His Royal Highness opened the town’s first purpose-built almshouses, developed by The Shandford Trust at East Budleigh Road. The project is particularly significant as it represents the first newly established almshouse charity in the UK for more than 50 years. The highly sustainable homes provide comfortable, low-cost accommodation for local residents, with additional support available through the neighbouring Seachange Community Centre.
His Royal Highness also visited Ottery St Mary to officially open Feoffee Rise, a new almshouse development created by the Ottery Feoffee Charity. Built on the former Brook Street Day Centre site, the new homes continue the charity’s long tradition of supporting local people, with roots dating back nearly 600 years.
During both visits, His Royal Highness met residents who have recently moved into the new homes and heard first-hand how the developments are helping people remain independent within their local communities.
Nick Phillips. CEO of The Almshouse Association said,
“These royal visits have been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate two exceptional examples of community-led housing in action. Both Feoffee Rise in Ottery St Mary and the new almshouses developed by The Shandford Trust in Budleigh Salterton demonstrate the incredible impact that dedicated local charities, trustees, volunteers and supporters can have in addressing housing need.
Meeting residents and seeing first-hand the difference these homes are making reinforces why the almshouse model remains so relevant today. These developments provide not only affordable, high-quality housing, but also security, independence, and a strong sense of community.
We are grateful to our Royal Vice Patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester for recognising the vital contribution of almshouse charities and helping to shine a spotlight on what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision. We hope these inspiring projects encourage more people across the UK to support and establish new almshouse charities for future generations.”
The visits concluded with commemorative presentations and plaque unveilings, marking two important moments for East Devon and highlighting the growing role of community-led housing initiatives in supporting older generations.
HRH unveils the official opening plaque at Budleigh Salterton
HRH officially unveils the plaque, officially opening the Ottery St Mary almshouses
Together, the developments in Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary showcase how local charities, volunteers and supporters can create lasting housing solutions that will benefit communities for generations to come.
Top picture shows The Duke of Gloucester (second left), Royal Vice-Patron of The Almshouse Association, officially opened the new Feoffee Rise almshouse development in Ottery St Mary yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the charity’s nearly 600-year history.
Accompanied by Mrs Mary Quicke MBE (left), Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, Willie Hartley Russell (second right), Chair of The Almshouse Association, and Nick Phillips (right), Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association, His Royal Highness was introduced to local dignitaries, including Vicky Johns (centre), Mayor of Ottery St Mary.
Photos credit: Richard Gray
In the news
posted 22 June 2026