Manchester literally cannot stop expanding, with constant developments being planned and leaping into action, including the tallest planned building in Manchester. In an unusual yet lovely turn of events, work on Great Places Housing Group’s project to create the UK’s first purpose-built and co-produced majority LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme has begun in Whalley Range, south Manchester.
The development is taking place on the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, which was demolished in 2019 and the brownfield site has since remained vacant. The scheme will deliver 80 one and two bedroom social rented apartments for older people in a brick building of four to five storeys. The low-carbon scheme will include shared facilities, lounges and treatment rooms and landscaped gardens which will look to ensure an overall net gain of trees on the site.
Extra Care housing developments look to increase the affordable housing opportunities for older people to move into high quality accommodation, with flexible care and support services available to meet changing needs encouraging independent living.
The residents of the housing development will be required to be aged 55 years or over, with the majority of residents being members of the LGBTQ+ community from Manchester. Living alongside allies and other members of the local community, the aim is to provide an open and inclusive, physical and psychological place of safety for the older LGBTQ+ community and a welcome addition to the Whalley Range area.
The site will also include a neighbouring separate shared ownership block consisting of around 40 apartments, a mix of one and two bed apartments, delivering affordable homes to first time buyers and eligible customers, helping to address emerging affordability issues in places such as Whalley Range.
Commenting on the planning approval, Greater Manchester-born actor Sir Ian McKellen, LGBT Foundation patron and committed supporter of the Pride in Ageing Programme, who visited the Russell Road site in 2023, said: “It’s wonderful to see Manchester leading the way yet again.
“Our community deserves to be able to age in a safe and welcoming environment where we are accepted for who we are, and Russell Road will do just that. Congratulations to everyone involved in the project and I look forward to following its progress and seeing the scheme open!”
Commenting on the official start of the project, Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development at Manchester City Council, said: “This is a real milestone moment for this development. The Council has believed in the positive impact an LGBTQ+ majority housing development could have for this community for many years – and to celebrate the social rent homes officially starting on site is a great moment for the city.
“Working with the LGBT Foundation, we know that older LGBTQ+ people worry about being able to access appropriate and inclusive housing later in life. Although we hope all older person’s accommodation is welcoming to everyone, this scheme will provide safe, secure and affordable housing for LGBTQ+ people to live with dignity.
“We look forward to the completion of these homes that will complement and enhance this part of Whalley Range – and be an important part of this community.”