A Manchester housing association has submitted plans for a ‘first of a kind’ extra care housing scheme purpose built to cater for the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
Great Places Housing Group has submitted the proposals for the majority LGBTQ+ facility, which would be located on the site of former Spired Hospital on Russell Road, Whalley Range, in South Manchester.
Now a brownfield site, the hospital was demolished in 2019 and the place has remained vacant since.
The plans for the extra care housing scheme have been developed with the input of the Russell Road Community Steering Group, Manchester City Council, and the LGBT Foundation.
The scheme intends to deliver 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments for older people within a high-quality sustainable building of four to five storeys. The aim is to offer both a “strong and inviting presence” while designed with the context of the surrounding conservation area in mind.
The low-carbon scheme will include shared communal facilities including lounges, treatment rooms and landscaped gardens, and will look to ensure an overall net gain of trees on the site.
Councillor Gavin White, the city council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “We know there is a real need for this type of affordable housing that can support older LGBTQ+ people in the city to age with dignity, surrounded by a community of like-minded people.
“Extra Care homes are an attractive and affordable housing choice for people later in life, and where some on-going care needs can be accommodated on-site.
“This will be a hugely welcome planning application to transform a long-term brownfield site and these proposals have been developed in partnership with a Community Steering Group to ensure this development will meet the needs of older residents from the LGBTQ+ community in Manchester.”
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 and encourage independent living.
The residents will be aged 55 years or over, with the majority of residents being members of the LGBTQ+ community from Manchester. Living alongside allies, 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 shared ownership block consisting of 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. The shared ownership apartment block will reflect the design principles and provision of private amenity space to reinforce the sense of place this development offers the existing community.
The development will be funded by Great Places, complimented by grant funding from Homes England and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.
Inclusive haven
Paul Martin, chief executive at LGBT Foundation, said: “[This] planning application is a welcome and significant milestone in this project’s development.
“From increased social isolation to fear of discrimination and abuse in later life, older LGBTQ+ people have unique and often overlooked housing and care needs. The Russell Road majority LGBTQ+ extra care scheme is intended to address these inequalities, allowing our community to age independently, safely, securely and with pride.
“Alongside the Community Steering Group, LGBT Foundation is looking forward to working with partners to bring our vision for Russell Road to life.”
Martin York and Susan Duncan-Wood, joint co-chairs of the Russell Road Community Steering Group (CSG), added: “As co-chairs we are proud to be involved in this pioneering scheme, working alongside Community Steering Group members. We aim to ensure all voices are heard and perspectives considered to deliver a housing development where LGBTQ+ older people can live their lives authentically and with dignity.”
Helen Spencer, executive director of growth at Great Places, added: “Our purpose-built majority LGBTQ+ extra care housing scheme in Whalley Range, South Manchester, represents a pioneering step towards creating a safe and inclusive haven for older members of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community.
“By fostering a sense of community and living alongside allies, we aspire to offer both physical and psychological safety. Additionally, the adjacent shared ownership block will contribute to addressing affordability challenges in the Whalley Range area.
“The planning submission marks an important milestone in this groundbreaking development, and we look forward to continuing working with our partners, Manchester City Council, LGBT Foundation, and the Community Steering Group to make this vision a reality.”
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