South Manchester LGBTQ+ extra care resi plans in
Great Places Housing Group has submitted a proposal for what is described as a ‘first of a kind’ development in Whalley Range.
A majority LGBTQ+ extra care housing scheme is set for the vacant brownfield site formerly occupied by the Spire Hospital on Russell Road, which was demolished in 2019.
Plans have been developed with the input of the Russell Road Community Steering Group, Manchester City Council, and the LGBT Foundation.
Rowlinson’s Construction is the appointed contractor for the scheme should the project get the go-ahead.
It would deliver 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments for older people within a sustainable building of four- to five-storeys, designed with the surrounding conservation area in mind.
Aiming to be low-carbon, the scheme would include shared communal facilities such as lounges, treatment rooms, and landscaped gardens to guarantee an overall net gain of trees on the site.
Homes will be available to those aged 55 years or over, with the majority of residents being from Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community.
The idea is that by enabling people to live alongside allies the scheme will create an open and inclusive, physical, and psychological place of safety for the older LGBTQ+ community.
A neighbouring shared ownership block featuring 40 apartments is also planned.
That block would comprise a mix of one- and two-bed apartments, delivering affordable homes to first-time buyers and eligible customers, in a bid to address emerging affordability issues in the area.
The development is to be funded by Great Places, in addition to grant funding from Homes England and the GMCA Brownfield Housing Fund.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester 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 ongoing 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.”
Paul Martin, chief executive at the LGBT Foundation, said: “Today’s 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, the LGBT Foundation is looking forward to working with partners to bring our vision for Russell Road to life.”
Disposal of the land took place earlier this year but the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
As well as Rowlinsons Construction the project team features Simon Fenton Partnerships, Triangle Architects, Mosaic Town Planning, and SGi Consulting Engineers.
Also on the team are OFR Consultants, Urban Green, SK Transport, Design for Security, Energy Counsel, and Azymuth Acoustics.
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, said: “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.
“With 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments, this low-carbon development aims to provide high-quality accommodation, flexible care, and support services for residents aged 55 years or over.
“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.”
Manchester City Council planners will decide on the proposals at a future date.
To view the plans, search for application reference number 140556/FO/2024 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
I think this is a really good idea. Many elderly people are comfortable and understanding of others in the LGBTQ+ community, but sadly not all and it would be awful to think of an elderly person being lonely or feeling as though they couldn’t be themselves in their twilight years. A care home is a care home and their is an acute demand. Well done MCC.
By Anonymous
It’s nice to know there is haven if you need it. Similar to the same way people view other shared spaces.
By Anonymous
A decent development which caters for the elderly and uses a vacant plot – Get it Built!
By GetItBuilt!
I’m surprised this meets discrimination rules/regulations?
By Birk
Do you not think that this development is prejudicial to straight people who are struggling to find suitable accommodation across Manchester, A 50/50 split would be a more considerate proposal instead of point scoring by the restrictions of your development.
By Robert Douglas
It’s somewhat bitterly ironic (and inevitable) that there are one or two comments calling this scheme discriminatory when the intended occupants will have been people who have near enough lived their entire lives with constant prejudice, discrimination (professionally & socially) – people who have lived through the AIDS crisis that may have seen most of their friends and peers not survive and have had stigma follow them throughout their adulthood.. but people are now upset that creating a safe space for them in their later years is unfair?
By Anonymous
There are tonnes of extra care developments being built. This is just a drop in the ocean.
No one is stopping you from building others.
By Anonymous
Great to see more homes being built. Great to see those homes focused on older people to downsize to. A bit worrying that gay and trans people are being pigeon-holed into a ghetto though.
Can you imagine if a developer said “straights only”. I’m gay, and I’d be outraged. I think integration is better than segregation. Most people aren’t bigoted. These so-called allies are just nosey busy-bodies.
By Segregation