Actor Ian McKellen has praised Manchester City Council’s approval of the UK’s ‘first of a kind’ purpose-built majority LGBTQ+ extra care social rent housing scheme.
At the council’s planning meeting today, members signed off on Great Places Housing Group’s proposals for the site of the former Spire Hospital on Russell Road.
Mr McKellen, LGBT Foundation patron and committed supporter of the Pride in Ageing Programme, said: ‘It's wonderful to see Manchester leading the way yet again.’
The plans for the scheme have been co-produced in partnership with the Russell Road Community Steering Group, Manchester City Council, and LGBT Foundation.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: ‘This is a real celebratory moment for this development, which has been in the works for some years and is designed to meet a clear need for quality, social rent housing for LGBTQ+ older people to live in safety, dignity and as part of a welcoming and supportive community.’
