Exclusive: Multi-million pound restoration for historic houses in Warwick town centre

They are London-based Ash Mill Developments Ltd who have purchased a total of 18 Grade ll* historic houses including 11 in Northgate Street - opposite the old crown court buildings - plus another three in Northgate South and four more in The Butts together with a large swathe of land at the rear.

While preserving and restoring the properties, the company hopes to clear some 20,000 sq ft at the back to give the properties their own landscaped private gardens. The back land includes a museum storage building, which will be preserved and an “inappropriate” 1930s office block.

On Tuesday Ash Mill’s chairman John Brown said: “We are both excited and slightly daunted by the challenges we are bound to face in restoring this part of Warwick to its former glory.

“However, we do have experience of working on sensitive restoration projects in other historic towns such as Wells, Bath and Sherborne in Dorset.”

The row of late 17th and early 18th century listed buildings were oiginally offered for sale by the county council with a price tag of £5 million.

While Ash Mill Developments are understood to have paid considerably less than that, the company will be investing heavily in converting the buildings - many last used as education or court offices - back into domestic use. Even the smaller ones will have two bathrooms.

Mr Brown says subject to detailed planning consent, they hope to start work next autumn.

But first there will be a public presentation of their plans at a meeting on January 17.

Town mayor Elizabeth Higgins has described the row in Northgate Street, built after the great fire of Warwick in 1694, as “one of the finest rows of William and Mary houses in England.”

Across the street the old Grade I listed Crown and County Court buildings are still awaiting new tenants. News of what they might be used for is unlikely to be announced until mid-December.

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Researchers for Ash Mill have already carried out detailed studies of all of the houses and their former owners, including one which used to be the old Warwick police station. That will be divided into three townhouses while the properties fronting The Butts will become four two-storey homes.

The Northgate Street houses will have between two and five bedrooms, including private gardens and parking. There is speculation that these could be for sale for anything up to half a million pounds. Perhaps more in some cases.

Councillor Colin Hayfield, who is responsbile for the county’s physical assets, said: “We are pleased to have found a buyer who will develop the street and surrounding buildings in a sympathetic manner which will maintain Warwick’s reputation as an attractive, historic town. The sale will contribute towards the council’s property rationalisation programme as we move towards using less buildings.”