An 800-year-old former leper hospital being turned into affordable homes in Warwick could be used to house veterans, the councillor in charge of housing in the area has said.

Speaking at last week's Warwick District Council meeting, Cllr Jessica Melrose revealed the idea for St Michael's Place and said she would put together a full plan for councillors to consider.

Restoration work at the grade II listed site began in July this year, with the redevelopment set to turn the historic building into affordable rental accommodation.

The site has sat derelict for 50 years and a compulsory purchase order was served on it by the council in 2021.

Speaking last week, the portfolio holder for housing said: "It was good to see that the restoration of the leper hospital is underway and the site was open to the public heritage day.

"What housing is doing because it is being built is working on a housing allocation of who will be housed there.

"Given the history of Warwick and the hospital, my preference would be the accommodation designated for veterans.

"That is something I have asked officers to explore for a policy which I hope to bring in the new year."

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The site has been on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register since the first edition in 1998.

Splitlath has been confirmed as the building contractor for the works. The firm is a specialist building conservation company that has been trading since 1867.

Multiple funding streams have been found for the project which is being completed with West Midlands Heritage.

This includes money from Warwick District Council (£1,213,000), The Architectural Heritage Fund (£390,304), Historic England (£440,000), The Pilgrim Trust (£15,000), Warwick Town Council (£5,000), and The National Lottery Heritage Fund (£2,964,199).