Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, is seeking views from local residents at a consultation event next week ahead of the application submission for around 100 new affordable homes planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, Manchester The hospital was demolished in 2019, and the brownfield site has since remained vacant.
In partnership with Manchester City Council and a Community Steering Group led by the LGBT Foundation, Anchor aims to develop an Extra Care scheme on Russell Road, Whalley Range, designed to be the UK’s first LGBT+ majority housing development exclusively for older people.
The proposals will deliver high-quality, inclusive new homes for older people and the initial plans propose around 100 one- and two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be for affordable rent and shared ownership, plus shared facilities including a restaurant/bistro, lounges, treatment rooms and landscaped outdoor amenity space plus parking. Residents will be required to be aged 55 years or over, and the scheme will be inclusive of members and non-members of the LGBT+ community.
Charles Taylor, Anchor’s Director of New Business, said:
“At Anchor we manage over 55,000 homes nationwide, including locations in Manchester, and have developed a strong reputation for delivering high-quality homes where people love living in later life. We share the collective ambition with Manchester City Council to create an exemplary, inclusive development on this well-located site in the heart of the Whalley Range community.”
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and employment, said:
“This development is landmark for the LGBT+ community in Manchester, bringing some of the first housing targeted at older LGBT+ people in the UK. This consultation is an early opportunity to have your say about how this scheme should be developed and I would urge people to take this chance to help guide this project before a planning application is submitted later in year.”
Paul Martin OBE, LGBT Foundation CEO, said: “LGBT Foundation are delighted to be involved in the development of the UK’s first purpose-built LGBT-majority Extra Care scheme in Whalley Range. It is exciting to see the first consultation event happening as we move a step closer to shaping the design of the scheme which will offer a safe and welcoming home for older LGBT people.”
The consultation will be held at Whalley Range Methodist Church between 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday 12th January. In addition to the in-person event, all the information presented will be displayed online atwww.anchor.consultationonline.co.uk from 12 January 2022. Local residents will be able to provide their views via a feedback form at the event or online until 19 January 2022.
