Pozzoni gets go-ahead for North Manchester extra-care flats

Independent architectural practice Pozzoni has won planning consent for 40 apartments for elderley people in Higher Blackley on behalf of Great Places Housing Group.

A report by Manchester City Council Older People's Commissioning Strategy Team highlighted that there is currently no extra care accommodation provision in North Manchester and Higher Blackley, despite it having one of the highest populations of older people in the city.

The apartments will replace the former Fairholme Residential Care Home on Bank House Road in Higher Blackley which has been demolished.

The scheme will benefit from grant funding under the National Affordable Housing Programme for Manchester 2007-11.

As well as the 40 two-bed self-contained apartments there will be communal areas which will be open to the public including areas for dining, a hair studio, IT suite, a well-being room, communal kitchen and large lounge area.

Cllr Basil Curley, Manchester City Council's executive member for adult services, said: "Extra Care schemes are like traditional sheltered housing enhanced by having an on-site care team available 24 hours a day.

"The care is designed to be flexible so that a person may enter the scheme with low or no care needs but when they need care in the future their needs can be met without them having to move."

The scheme is expected to start on site later this year.