Wivenhoe Housing Trust to build six new almshouses

Six new almshouses, a form of social housing are planned for Wivenhoe.

Almshouses are managed by a housing charity for people in need of a permanent home, typically from a specified area and over a certain age.

The rent is usually fixed at a level that qualifies the resident for housing benefit if they cannot afford to pay it.

The homes will be constructed on land behind Cross Farm, near the fire station and Vine Parade shops, and close to a bus stop, making them well-suited for local people over 60 in need of housing.

Peter Hill, chairman of the Wivenhoe Housing Trust said:  "This is really exciting.

"We have been working towards this day for at least 15 years when we, the trustees, agreed we wanted to create more almshouses in Wivenhoe and set about achieving this objective.

"It will be a great day next year when we will have finally achieved our target."

The land was donated to Wivenhoe Housing Trust by Cala Homes as a condition of their planning consent to build 85 homes on the land behind Cross Farm.

This requirement was part of the Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan, approved by residents in 2019, with Mr Hill and Bob Needhan, vice-chairman, playing key roles in its creation.

Cala's development is named Wivenhoe Gardens, while the upcoming almshouses are proposed to be named Raven Court.

The Wivenhoe Housing Trust, a registered charity with nine local trustees, will manage the new almshouses.

The trust currently oversees 13 existing almshouses at Jonathan Feedham Court and the Mary Ann Sanford almshouses on Rebow Road, built in 1873.

The Jonathan Feedham Court almshouses, built in 1974, were the last to be constructed in Wivenhoe.

Local architect Adam Edwards RIBA has designed the new almshouses to resemble three Essex barns, complementing the existing farm buildings at Cross Farm and Watsham Place.

The barn-like buildings, featuring black weatherboarding and pan-tiled roofs, will each contain two dwellings and will be built around a shared courtyard garden.

What the almhouses are planned to look like. (Image: Peter Hill)

With the land now transferred to the Wivenhoe Housing Trust, construction can commence.

Colin Kelly, proprietor of C&K (Contracts) Ltd and a former long-standing trustee of the Wivenhoe Housing Trust, is the appointed builder.

He will share cost details with the trustees, and the local architect, Adam Edwards, will ensure all construction aspects are handled competitively.

The build is expected to take 48 weeks, with the homes ready for occupation in May next year.

The trustees have already received requests from approximately 20 residents interested in living at Raven Court.