An application to convert the office at 10 Michel's Almshouses on The Vineyard into a residential home has been submitted to Richmond Council.

Richmond Charities is proposing to turn its headquarters at 10 Michel's Almshouses into affordable housing, while relocating staff to a different premises.

This follows a separate application by the charity to change the use of its almshouses at 33 and 34 Hickey's Bungalows, Sheen Road, into a larger office space, which would accommodate the team currently based at Michel's Almshouses.

Currently, 10 Michel's Almshouses includes office space, three bathrooms, and a guest bedroom.

In its planning application, Clive Chapman Architects, on behalf of Richmond Charities, stated: "The proposed works comprise demolition of ground floor internal partition walls to the lobby, kitchenette and toilet, to create an open-plan kitchen and living area with storage below the stairs.

"A new internal stud wall on the first floor will include moisture-resistant plasterboard in the WC and shower, and acoustically insulated plasterboard on the existing party wall.

"Cooking facilities, hot water and heating will be electric."

The proposed first and ground floor elevations (credit: Planning application).

Michel's Almshouses are Grade II listed and located on The Vineyard, Richmond, opposite Bishop Duppa's and Queen Elizabeth's Almshouses.

The original 10 almshouses were founded by Humphrey Michel in 1695, and later rebuilt in 1811. Six additional houses were added in 1858, followed by one bungalow in 1990.

In 2005, 10 Michel's Almshouses was converted into the current office and guest accommodation, which Richmond Charities now wishes to revert back to residential use.

To read the full planning application, click here.

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