St Margarets Almshouses
St Margaret's
Almshouses (formerly Leper Hospital), Taunton Grade II*
Taunton Deane Borough Council 2003 Conservation Award
Our clients the Somerset Building Preservation Trust in association with
Falcon Rural Housing saved St Margaret's Alms Houses from developers in 1999 to
repair and restore the building.
Originally a leper hospital founded in the 12th Century the building
had more recently been used as offices for the Rural Community Council with
accommodation for the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen, but since the 1980's had stood
empty and been the victim of vandalism and neglect.
The project was supported by English Heritage who recognised the importance of
the building, and funding was also received by Taunton Deane Borough Council,
Somerset County Council, the Wyvern Environmental Trust and Viridor Waste
Management as well as local donations.
The work included major repair work to the fire damaged roof and conversion
into four cottages into which tenants of Falcon Rural Housing moved in November
2002.
All repairs were sympathetically carried out, with respect for the original
architecture and materials used.