A project to restore some of Warwick's most important historic buildings is now underway with contractors starting ground clearance work and archaeological surveys on site, ahead of the start of building work.

The St Michael's Place development plans will see the grade II listed Master's House and St Michael's Chapel in Saltisford turned into houses and flats.

Warwick District Council (WDC) announced in July that funding of up to £138,838 had been received from players of The National Lottery.

A further £40,000 was also secured from Historic England for the archaeological investigations.

In the past few weeks stone and waste soil has been removed and carefully analysed.

A CGI representation of the site (Image via WDC)

This will now make way for "geophysical examinations" and the "installation of test trenches" to allow for services to come on site.

Portfolio for housing Cllr Paul Wightman commented: "I'm delighted to see such a significant heritage and housing project in Warwick now taking shape.

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"Our plans will not only conserve the legacy of these buildings but will also give them a sustainable future."

The district council served a compulsory purchase order for the hospital in January 2021 stating that the then owners, who purchased the site over 30 years ago, had allowed it to become "structurally unstable".

As part of the process, the council submitted a planning application in May that year.

And while the owners, who had carried out repair work on the chapel, objected to the order, it was approved by the Secretary of State in September.