New almshouses officially named in honour of original benefactor
MELBOURNE: Three brand new almshouses have been officially opened in the core of the city.
Parish councillors, trustees of the Legacy East Almshouse Partnership (LEAP) and the homes’ newly appointed residents gathered at the Buxton Close development off High Lane on June 27 for a naming ceremony.
The trio of two-bedroom properties within the village’s newest development will provide accommodation for the elderly within easy reach of shops, the doctors’ surgery and Stansted railway station.
Known as the Fuller’s Almshouses, their name commemorates William Fuller Maitland, who built the original almshouses in Church Road in 1882 for the benefit of people aged over 60.
The buildings were eventually in desperate need of updating and were sold in 2013, sparking a 10-year search for a suitable replacement site.
The £800,000 sale proceeds sat in the trust fund until developer Troy Homes offered up part of its new development to include new almshouses.
Peter Hill, chair of LEAP, said: “Today is a great occasion. Since 2021 when we took over responsibility for this charity… we have been working hard to invest the money from the sale of those almshouses.
“We are grateful to Peter Lock, housing enabling and development officer of Uttlesford District Council, and Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council for their help and support. Also to Troy Homes, which has been working for the last 18 months to build these three homes.”
Cllr Maureen Caton, chair of the parish council, said: “We are very pleased that Stansted now has some almshouses for local people in need of housing.”