Work is now underway on the UK’s first majority LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range.
The £37 million development on the former Spire Hospital site will deliver 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for people over 55 to rent at social rent levels, plus 40 affordable shared ownership homes. Designed with the community, the scheme will provide a safe, welcoming and sustainable place to live, with shared lounges, treatment rooms and landscaped gardens.
During Pride Month, Great Places marked the official start on site with partners including Manchester City Council, LGBT Foundation, Homes England and members of the local Community Steering Group. Once complete in summer 2027, Russell Road will be part of the Council’s goal to build at least 36,000 new homes across the city by 2032 – including 10,000 at social rent or genuinely affordable levels.
Construction is progressing well. Piling is complete on both blocks, with foundation works now underway. The next step will be installing an attenuation tank as part of the site’s sustainable drainage system.
The Community Steering Group continues to play an important role in the scheme, recently supporting events at Pride on the Range and Celebrate Festival, and starting to explore potential names for the new scheme.
Cllr Angeliki Stogia, Ward Councillor for Whalley Range, says “This is a truly groundbreaking project for our city and our community. I am proud to see Whalley Range leading the way with the UK’s first majority LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme – providing inclusive, affordable homes for older people and showing what can be achieved when we work together.”
We will share more updates as the project progresses – if you would like to suggest a name for the scheme, contact Councillor Angeliki Stogia.
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