23 Jan Work to give iconic listed Finch House in Chapters a new lease of life nears completion

We are proud to announce that construction work to bring an iconic Grade II listed building in our Chapters’ community ‘back to life’ is due to be completed this summer.

Chapters is our largest Platinum Skies community, with 198 units and over 200 happy homeowners, nestled in Salisbury’s rich history and within walking distance of the glorious Salisbury Cathedral. 

The Grade-II listed 19th century Finch House is the final phase of the former Old Manor Hospital site’s redevelopment and will be converted into further affordable independent-living properties for the over 55s.

In line with planning and listed building applications approved by Wiltshire Council, work started in 2021 for Finch House to be restored to its original grandeur while being converted into 21 bespoke apartments. Once finished, Finch House homeowners will benefit from private communal gardens featuring a replacement of the property’s original glasshouse, as well as access to the wider communal facilities in the Chapters’ community including the bistro, activity rooms and treatment room.  

The listed fountain/sculpture from the front of Finch House is being cared for by specialist restorers, ready to be returned to the driveway once the building and landscaping work is complete.

Oliver Hunter, Managing Director, Origination and Delivery, said:

“Bringing Finch House back to life has been a real labour of love for our construction team. They have enjoyed seeing it being restored to its former glory, as a much-treasured landmark in Salisbury, which deserves to be lived in and loved for many years to come. The homeowners who purchase these apartments are in for a real treat and will be able to own a piece of Salisbury’s history, while having the benefit of being part of our wider over-55s community.”

Our construction teams are currently working on rendering and painting the external walls of Finch House before removing the scaffolding and unleashing its beauty in full glory. Inside the building, our teams are rolling out electrical installation across the apartments before fitting in the kitchens and completing the tiling in the bathrooms.

Finch House will join the rest of our Chapters’ properties in being designed to the Lifetime Homes Standards, providing built-to-last high quality living spaces that are easily adaptable to older homeowners’ changing living requirements.  

Finch House was purchased by William Finch in 1779. It was eventually taken over by his son, Dr William Finch, a qualified doctor, who also acquired Fisherton House. The site was later known as The Old Manor, which provided care for mental health patients until the hospital closed in 2003, when Finch House and the neighbouring buildings fell into disrepair.

We are proud to be able to give purpose to the neglected listed buildings and stunning grounds at our Chapters’ site, providing much-needed affordable, high quality retirement housing for Salisbury’s older population.