Congratulations to Wirksworth's Anthony Gell and Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity, winners of the 2025 Inspirational Homes Award - and against tough competition.
The award - presented by the Almshouse Association - is recognition for the major refurbishment after 440 years of Wirksworth’s original Almshouse to create affordable housing fit for purpose for many more years to come. And Derbyshire Dales District Council helped.
In 2023 we provided a grant not only to refurbish the property, but to achieve a real step change in the energy conservation of the building. This presented a major challenge given that the building is Grade 2 listed. Reducing the residents’ fuel bills and improving the quality of their accommodation was also an important consideration.
To achieve this the very latest of technologies were employed, while incorporating them in a sympathetic way - and The Anthony Gell and The Anthony Bunting Almshouse project stands as a blueprint for balancing historic preservation with modern sustainability.
Pictured above at the Almshouse in Wirksworth with the award certificate are the District Council's Empty Homes Officer Peter Scoffings, with Derbyshire Dales MP John Whitby and Nigel Johns, chair of the Anthony Gell and Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity.
The District Council was pleased to work in partnership with the Almshouse Charity to secure the long-term future of the four flats and significantly improve the energy efficiency of the homes. The Energy Performance Certificate for the flats has improved from a poor F rating to D.
This is one of a number of schemes financed by the Council to support small community-based housing providers deliver much need homes for rent. It is great to see these historic homes given a new lease of life.
