Local activities and information from buzz Health & Wellbeing service
Nello James updates
More information soon
We have been developing more detailed proposals for the redevelopment of Walton Cottage since we ran the public consultation event.
As part of our design work, we need to see what, if any foundations exist under the walls of the older buildings on site.
To do this we will be digging some trial pits on site on Tuesday 26th July.
To keep people informed I have put some notices on the site – copy attached.
Please feel free to share this pdf with any local residents who may be interested in what is going on.
On the main design, we are aiming to share, what we hope will be final proposals, in circa 2 to 3 weeks.
The proposals will go up on a mini website to allow for feedback.
We will do flyers and emails again to publicise the info.
A couple of weeks after this, we hope to then submit the formal planning application.
Best Regards
Patrick Sheridan
Senior Development Manager
T: +44 (0)161 974 6534
M: +44(0)7825177451
E: patrick.sheridan@views.co.uk
Council to seek a new developer and operator of UK’s first purpose-built LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing scheme
New LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing project in Whalley Range, South Manchester
Scheme Updates:
The Council will begin the process to bring a new housing provider with extra care experience on board to deliver the new LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing project in Whalley Range, south Manchester.
A new competition will be held later this year and the successful housing delivery partner will be part of a tripartite strategic partnership with Manchester City Council and LGBT Foundation.
The housing association partner will own and be responsible for designing the scheme through a co-production approach with the Council and LGBT Foundation – alongside a Community Steering Group made up of local people in Whalley Range and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The housing association partner will manage the scheme, with care services commissioned by the Council, support provided to LGBTQ+ residents by LGBT Foundation and allocations agreed by a panel made up of all three partners – along with the care provider.
The Council had been in negotiations with Anchor, a national older person’s housing provider, around a land deal for the site on Russell Road in Whalley Range and to operate the LGBT majority Extra Care development.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing, said:
“The Russell Road scheme is a flagship, first-of-its-kind development that will create a safe and welcoming housing community for older LGBTQ+ people in Manchester – and we remain absolutely committed to delivering the homes the community needs.
“The three partners have agreed that the local management arrangements required to meet the specific needs of LGBTQ+ communities within Manchester mean there will be other organisations better-suited than Anchor to take it forward. The Council – in partnership with the LGBT Foundation – are in the process of seeking a new development and management partner for the Extra Care development.
“We would like to thank Anchor for their work on developing this scheme so far – including working with the Community Steering Group on best practice for this type of housing – and we look forward to seeing this important development come to fruition in the coming months.”
Dr Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of LGBT Foundation, said:
“We are as committed as ever on delivering the right extra care scheme for the LGBTQ+ residents of Manchester, and we will continue to work with the Council to find the most appropriate partner to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ people over 55.
“Our research clearly demonstrates that the needs of LGBTQ+ older people are still not being addressed, and this scheme will help to ensure that these inequalities are met. We are hopeful of a speedy resolution and along with our Community Steering Group we look forward to forming a strategic partnership with the new provider, to put communities at the heart of the development of this ground-breaking scheme.”
Jane Ashcroft CBE, Chief Executive of Anchor, said:
“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to play a part in such a significant development for the LGBTQ+ residents of Manchester, which will also inform our approach on future work elsewhere. We very much look forward to seeing the development take shape.”
It’s Nearly Spring at Manchester’s LGBT+ Majority Extra Care Scheme
Hello and welcome to the next bulletin for the LGBT+ majority Extra Care Scheme in Whalley Range.
Spring is coming and so is our second pre-planning consultation event.
Our first public event went really well. We got some great feedback which has helped inform the more detailed proposals which we are looking forward to presenting at our next event on 16th February 2022. The proposals will also be available to view online from 16th to 23rd February 2022. More details are below.
Please let us know what you think because your views will be vital to make this development a success.
While Covid restrictions have relaxed, we want to continue to keep everyone at the event safe. Therefore, we ask that everyone who attends wears a mask if they can, they observe social distancing and have a negative lateral flow test.
New proposals brought forward for, LGBT+ majority Extra Care housing scheme
Second consultation to take place for the development of the former Spire Hospital site in Russell Road Whalley Range Manchester
Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, is seeking views once more from local residents at a consultation event next week ahead of a planning application submission for around 100 new affordable homes. The development is planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, which 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 LGBT Foundation, Anchor aims to develop an Extra Care scheme on Russell Road, Whalley Range, designed to be the UK’s first purpose built LGBT+ majority housing development exclusively for older people.
The first consultation event, which took place in January in person and online, presented the initial thinking for the proposed new development. At this second event, visitors will be able to view more detailed designs ahead of the planning application being submitted.
The proposals will deliver high-quality, inclusive new homes for older people and propose around 100 one- and two-bedroom apartments, in a brick building of three and four storeys. All homes will be designed 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 from Manchester.
The development seeks to minimise its carbon impact through a number of smart design measures to improve thermal efficiency throughout. Designs propose the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power and air source heat pumps, and installation of resource efficient equipment throughout the building, such as heat recovery ventilation systems and intelligently controlled LED lighting. The current target is to achieve an accreditation of ‘BREEAM Excellent’ for the new extra care housing scheme and will install electric vehicle charging points to a proportion of the residents’ parking bays. This will place the new development within the top 10 per cent of new builds in terms of sustainability both connected to the building and the setting.
Charles Taylor, Anchor’s Director of New Business, said:
“The first consultation was well attended and we got some great feedback. We’re looking forward to presenting our updated proposals for further views before we submit a planning application to Manchester City Council.
“At Anchor we 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: “It’s brilliant to see this project starting to move at pace. This is the second consultation for the LGBT majority extra care scheme and the feedback received has been really useful in developing the proposals that will go to planning in the coming weeks.
“We want this to be an exemplar for inclusive older person’s housing and to do that we need input from the communities that will eventually live there. This is a great opportunity to see how the development is progressing and we’d love to get as many people’s views as possible as we move into the next stage of the project.”
Paul Martin OBE, CEO LGBT Foundation, said: “LGBT Foundation is proud to have been involved in the development of the LGBT+ majority Extra Care scheme in Whalley Range since it was proposed some years ago. We were delighted to hear the overwhelming support for the scheme during the first consultation.
“The views of the local community are key to making this development a success and we encourage people to use their voice to help shape the future of this landmark project, to ensure it offers a safe and welcoming home for older LGBT+ people.”
The consultation will be held at Whalley Range Methodist Church between 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday 16th February. In addition to the in-person event, all the information presented will be displayed online at www.anchor.consultationonline.co.uk from 16 February 2022. Local residents will be able to provide their views via a feedback form at the event or online until 23 February 2022.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For further information, contact:
Sam Freedman / 020 3219 7956
Esme Roberts / 020 3697 7633
About Anchor
Anchor began more than 50 years ago and today is England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. It provides retirement housing to rent and to buy, retirement villages and residential care homes, including specialist dementia care. In total, Anchor serves more than 65,000 residents in 55,000 homes across almost 1,700 locations. Its residential care services employ the majority of the 9,000-strong workforce, providing services to residents at 114 care homes. Anchor operates in more than 85% of local councils in England. For more information visit www.anchor.org.uk.
About LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities. With a history dating back to 1975, they campaign for a fair and equal society where all LGBT people can achieve their full potential. Through their services, they reduce isolation amongst LGBT communities, help people feel more confident and in control of their lives and enable people to flourish. Together with LGBT communities and their supporters, LGBT Foundation are working to secure a safe, healthy and equal future for all LGBT people.
lgbt.foundation | @LGBTfdn
What is an Extra Care scheme?
Extra Care schemes typically attract customers who are already living in the area that require more specialist accommodation to meet their personal needs; but do not require levels of wellness provision which justifies moving into a care home. This model is especially attractive to those who live on their own and may need some physical and/or emotional support; and it is also for those who want to live within a community of like-minded people. The proposed development will therefore include specialist design features attributable to Extra Care schemes to enable residents to live independently in their own homes but with care and wellness services provided as and when required.
010222 Anchor Russell Road second consultation release, FINAL
Consultation to take place for development of the former Spire Hospital site in Russell Road Whalley Range Manchester
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 at www.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.
https://anchor.consultationonline.co.uk/
Summer Fun!
Lots of things to do locally and further afield during the summer holidays! (more coming soon!)
Local playschemes…
Cromwell Avenue…
Manley Park…
Loads to do…
https://loadstodo.co.uk/guides/our-year/
From Laura Cassidy of buzz:
The Summer Holidays have arrived and we know how hard (and expensive) it can be to keep those little and not so little ones busy. So we have put together a list of activities that we’re aware of in our area of Chorlton, Whalley Range and Fallowfield which is attached here. Please do share to anyone who may find it useful. I have also attached a fab guide aimed at the Under 5s which local resident Sian has put together and asked me to share. The link is also below to Sian’s guide as she will be updating it as she hears more – Thank you Sian!
Free Summer Activities Manchester for under 5s
2022 Summer Holiday Timetable CHWRF
Laura Cassidy (she / her)
Neighbourhood Health Worker – Fallowfield, Chorlton and Whalley Range
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
buzz Health & Wellbeing service
1st Floor, Fallowfield Library
Platt Lane, Fallowfield
Manchester
M14 7FB
Local Residents Liaison Group for the BMHC Development
Local Residents Liaison Group for the BMHC Development
Our group was formed as an organic response to development proposals shared at an event at the British Muslim Heritage Centre in November 2021. The group consists of local Whalley Range residents who have concerns about the negative impact that possible over-development of the College Road site will have on our local environment and the quality of human and animal life in the area.
We are a multi-faith, multi-racial group that includes users and non-users of the current BMHC centre. Many of us have actively chosen to live in Whalley Range because of the diversity and tolerant attitudes of Whalley Range people. We have also chosen to live here because we appreciate the benefits of the conservation area in Whalley Range where overdevelopment has historically been controlled and the local ecology, tree population and wildlife have been protected for many decades.
Some of us are direct neighbours adjacent to the site of the British Muslim Heritage Centre and have experienced unacceptable noise, traffic disruption and air pollution resulting from current activities at the centre.
We recognise the value of BMHC to regional and local Muslim and non-Muslim communities, and that the BMHC faces significant financial demands from the heavy maintenance costs of preserving the Grade 2* listed building. We understand that BMHC is looking to the development of the College Road site as a means of meeting these financial demands. Our goal as a local residents’ group is to work with BMHC towards a sustainable and appropriate development of the College Road site which balances BMHC’s aspirations at the same time as it enhances the unique character of the Whalley Range conservation area.
We believe we are important stakeholders in our local area, the place where we live – and should be recognised as such by local government, local businesses and other organisations.
We believe that planning decisions should be transparent and accountable and should enhance the health and wellbeing of local residents. So we are here to collaborate and ensure our voices are heard.
We are an informal group of about 200 people who have a steering committee of about 18 people. You can contact us by emailing sustainwr@gmail.com, but please allow 48 hours for a response as we are all volunteers.
Please see the link below to the 21/06/2023 meeting minutes from last meeting with the BMHC with regards to the proposed planning/redevelopment of site on College Road, Whalley Range.
Agreed Minutes for BMHC_RBDLG meeting 21-06-2023
Our next Boost resilience course starts soon…
Sign up for our March/April 2022 Boost Resilience course…
Contact us at communityforumwhalleyrange@gmail.com if you’d like a place on the course
What’s On
Chorlton Open Gardens
Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Greater Manchester
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June 2022
11.00am to 5.00pm
A large range of gardens will be open, plus community gardens, allotments, a shared alleyway, a roof garden and local nursery. Unearth ideas for sustainability and attracting wildlife. Learn about creative ways to divide small spaces.
Refreshments on sale in some gardens, plants and crafts in others.
Proceeds from programmes to charity Freedom from Torture, individual refreshments etc to local and African charities and FfT.
Cost
£5.00 per adult, accompanied under 13s free.
How to get event passports
Programmes (entry ticket) on sale from mid-May and on the day itself at Creative Recycling (Beech Road), Chorlton Plant Nursery (Vicars Road) and Unicorn Grocery (11.00am to 2.00pm)
Number of gardens
Approximately 22 gardens will be open, but the total may vary from day to day – please contact the organisers if you need exact numbers.
Contact the organisers
Phone: TBC
Email: dmcooke@btinternet.com
Web: http://www.chorltonopengardens.org.uk
Celebrate Life in Manley Park on June 11th!
The Festival on June 11th was a great success – thanks to everyone who got involved.
See the Report below from Celebrate Coordinator Lotte Karlsen
CELEBRATE FESTIVAL REPORT 2022 (1)
See the photos on the Celebrate Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateFestivalWhalleyRange
The Celebrate programme is here!
Celebrate programme-Final (1)
Celebrate is almost here!!!!
And here’s another of our fantastic attractions…
Bike repairs and advice and children’s activities will be provided by the Bike Hive team from Alexandra Park. The activity is being run as part of Cycling UK Big Bike Revival and is a community Dr. Bike event!
We are pleased to announce CHARLIE PINK for the acoustic stage! He’s a local songwriter of renown and a purveyor of M.M.M – Mellow Manchester Music.
See you in Manley Park on June 11th!
CHORLTON ROCK OUT SCHOOL
We are pleased to announce a returning favourite for the main stage! The kids of @chorlton rock out will be starting the day off with a healthy dose of havoc. Expect big riffs, small rockstars, and multiple drumkits on stage…
LAUREN YOUNG
We are pleased to announce that the amazing Lauren Young will be joining us on the 11th June at Celebrate 2022!
Expect wild, virtuosic piano playing across a wide range of classical, jazz and contemporary styles.
POPPYCOCK
We are pleased to announce the wonderful Poppycock for the main stage at Celebrate 2022!
Expect danceable punky sounds from leader Una Baines, who has a redoubtable back catalogue from her time in The Fall and Blue Orchids.
Celebrate pre-festival workshops prep
in local schools with Mandy.
Looking fabulous!! 
The Celebrate festival date is getting closer! Here’s a preview of our poster – and watch this space for details of some of the amazing festival attractions and performance coming up to Celebrate 25 years! 
The Whalley Range Celebrate festival is 25 years old this year…
Celebrate Life on 11th June 2022 from 12-6pm in Manley Park!
The theme this year will be ‘Celebrate Life’ at our community event for everyone – older people, younger people and everyone in between! 
Live music and performance, displays, arts and crafts, health & wellbeing, age-friendly, stalls, workshops, information, local organisations, food and drink – and so much more!
Contact celebratewhalleyrange@gmail.com to get involved
Watch this space for more details!
Read more about Celebrate:
https://www.whalleyrange.org/whalley-range-celebrate/
buzz Neighbourhood What’s on update
Next update coming soon
Greater Manchester Walking Festival: Whalley Range Age-friendly benches walkabout
Age-friendly Whalley Range & Chorlton (AFWRC)
Friday 6 May at 10:30AM
Local older people and members of our community group will walk the hour long route of the 12 installed Age-friendly benches in Whalley Range, to get some exercise, fresh air and vitamin D. We will arrange to meet up with less mobile friends at different benches along the way to say hello and share news – and encourage others to join us!
Meeting point:
JNR8 Youth & Community Centre
82 Cromwell Avenue
Manchester M16 0BG
Booking is not required.
Walk Leader: Christine Ricard
Contact email: agefriendlywhalleyrange@gmail.com
Contact phone number: 07751666150
