In the village of Great Shelford in Cambridgeshire, a community-led initiative has resulted in the construction of 21 affordable homes designed to address the local housing shortage. The development, known as More’s Meadow II, revisits the historic almshouse concept with a modern interpretation that incorporates contemporary architecture and sustainable technology.

Great Shelford, with a population of approximately 4,500, has become increasingly unaffordable for many local residents, including key workers such as nurses and shop assistants. The new terraced homes are rented at roughly half the local market rate—£625 per month for a one-bedroom, £725 for a two-bedroom, and £850 for a three-bedroom unit.

The origins of this project trace back to the 16th century, when Lettice Martin, a wealthy landowner, left property and funds to establish charities for the poor across 36 parishes, including Great Shelford. While the original almshouses associated with the charity were sold off in the 20th century, the Great Shelford Parochial Charities was revitalised in the 1990s. In 1995, it sold part of its land to finance an earlier affordable housing project, More’s Meadow I, which delivered 32 homes let at half market rents on standard tenancies.

By the early 2020s, the charity had accumulated £2 million in savings through agricultural rents, donations, and income from previous developments. A survey at the time identified a need for 100 affordable homes within the village. The charity prudently designated the nine acres of land it held into separate zones: one for homes, one for community green space including allotments, and one for tree planting.

However, the charity’s funds could only cover about half the cost of building the new 21 homes. Professional advice led them to secure a £100,000 seed grant from Homes England and £1 million from local government funding targets related to affordable housing. The remaining £1.5 million was borrowed through the Charity Bank. To maintain long-term affordability, the charity amended its constitution to operate as an almshouse charity, which unlike council housing, prevents properties from being sold under the Right to Buy scheme.

Securing planning permission was a particular challenge due to the location on designated green belt land. Initial architectural proposals were rejected for being too conventional. Subsequently, Rowan Haysom of Haysom Ward Miller was commissioned to design a wave-shaped layout with green roofs, pale brickwork reflective of local styles, and black cladding evocative of traditional barns. The U-shaped courtyard arranges homes around a communal green space that is car-free, with parking provided separately, promoting a strong sense of community while maintaining connection to the wider village.

Public engagement played a crucial role in the approval process. The charity held multiple meetings with the villagers, supported by positive endorsements from the parish council and local Member of Parliament. Opposition was minimal, with only a few written objections recorded.

The development was completed in 2023 and subsequently received an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects. Trustees highlight the social and economic benefits to the village, noting that many residents are workers from the nearby biomedical campus, including cleaners, lab technicians, and other essential staff who otherwise would be priced out of the local housing market, where some properties exceed £5 million in value.

Residents span a range of ages and occupations, from elderly widows to younger couples who grew up locally but were previously unable to afford housing there. Applications to live in the almshouses are approved by the charity board through means-tested assessments and reviewed periodically to ensure continued adherence to eligibility criteria.

Beyond providing affordable housing, the development has enhanced village life through the introduction of 250 new trees, a wildflower meadow, an orchard, additional allotments, benches, and wheelchair-accessible paths. Regular oversight by the charity ensures ongoing community wellbeing, with board members and staff engaging with residents and maintaining communal standards.

While the charity’s volunteer trustees and salaried staff manage the homes funded through residents’ maintenance charges, challenges remain at a national policy level. The chief executive of the Almshouse Association notes that charity-led housing often goes unrecognised in the government’s affordable housing framework, lacking eligibility for certain funding streams tied to developer contributions. Despite this, almshouses continue to provide valuable social benefits, fostering community connections that can reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing, particularly in areas facing housing affordability crises.