16 Elm Hill

On Elm Hill in Norwich is a 16th-century, jettied house, the middle of a terrace of three with an original passage leading to a courtyard at the rear. It is a significant Grade II-listed building that forms a prominent part of Elm Hill, which is said to be one of the most historically important streets in the city of Norwich.

The building is best known for the short period of time when it was used as a monastery under the self-styled Father Ignatius, a controversial religious figure in the Church of England in the late-19th century. The property was latterly occupied by an elderly tenant unable to maintain the building. When it became vacant some five years ago, the building was unsuitable for occupation; it was then placed on the Local Authority’s Buildings at Risk Register.

With an aim to restore and renovate the property and bring it back into residential use, Norwich Preservation Trust Ltd, a well-established traditional revolving fund Building Preservation Trust, acquired 16 Elm Hill under its first asset transfer from the Council on a leasehold of 125 years.

An AHF Project Viability Grant in 2016 and a Project Development Grant in November 2018 supported the Trust in developing their plans for conversion into a two-bedroom property. Further support from the AHF was obtained in February 2020, when a loan of £50,000 was offered to provide short-term bridging finance until the property was sold.

norwichpreservationtrust.co.uk

AHF Funding

Project Viability Grant - £4,900 (2016)

Project Development Grant - £7,500 (2018)

Loan - £50,000 Disbursed (2020)