Bardsley starts on £4.9m Fallowfield extra care project

Building work has begun on 36 one and two-bedroom apartments for older people, including those living with dementia, at Wilbraham Road in the Manchester suburb.

The Oaklands extra care facility, built for Onward Homes, will provide residents with private apartments supported by round the clock assistance and care.

The first floor will be home to a suite specifically designed for people living with dementia. It includes apartments, a lounge, quiet room and outdoor terrace.

Oaklands has been designed by BTP Architects, selected by Onward Homes following previous work designing homes for older people and those living with dementia.

Bob Pleasance, project manager at Onward Homes, said: “We have an ageing population and an increasing need for homes that meet the needs of older people, including those living with dementia.

“Working with BTP we looked at a number of options for refurbishing the former sheltered housing scheme on the site but felt that the best decision was to build a new, modern extra care facility that will stand the test of time. Oaklands will do just that and is one of a number of developments we are working on.”

Victoria Saunders, managing director at BTP, said: “We are proud to be working with Onward and Bardsley on Oaklands. We worked closely with Manchester City Council planners on this scheme to bring forward what is a really important development for the community.

“We have designed a scheme for older people and those living with dementia to call home and enjoy their golden years in.”

The professional team also includes Alan Johnston Partnership working on civil and structural engineering and Engineering Services Design on M&E.

The 36 apartments across four floors will be available for affordable rent and are due for completion in early 2020.