Trust's grant bid to save cottages (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Trust's grant bid to save cottages

7:20am Monday 15th October 2012 in Local

HISTORIC cottages in Kidderminster which have become an eyesore could be spruced up and put back into use if funding to repair and conserve them is granted.

The Worcestershire Building Preservation Trust is applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding to give Weavers’ Cottages a much-needed facelift.

The three uninhabited Grade II listed cottages, at 20-22 Horsefair, are believed to be the last surviving examples of domestic carpet weaving residences left in Kidderminster.

David Trevis-Smith, project manager for the trust, said: “The trust exists to help preserve important historic buildings that are otherwise at risk and the Weavers’ Cottages clearly fall into that category.

“The best way to provide a secure future for any historic building is to carry out sensitive repairs and convert it to suit a modern day use.

“The repair work also improves the image of the building for the benefit of its neighbourhood.”

Two public meetings will be held in Kidderminster where the trust will share its ideas for the development and people can find out more about the cottages.

They will be held on Wednesday, October 24 at 6.30pm until 8pm at the Museum of Carpet at Stour Vale Mill in Green Street, and the following day at St Mary’s Primary School from 6pm until 7.30pm for Horsefair residents.

Mr Trevis-Smith added: “The trust’s project team has been working for some time preparing proposals for the Weavers’ Cottages and we’re now at a point where it will be really useful to share these with local residents and others with an interest.

“We hope that everyone who would like to contribute ideas about the future use of the Weavers’ Cottages will take the opportunity to join us at one of these events.”