Deputy Lord Mayor, councillor Elaine Boyes, will officially open a £5.5m Extra Care facility developed by Great Places Housing Group for older people in Higher Blackley, Manchester.

Tenants have already moved into the 40 two-bedroom apartments at The Byrons, which has vibrant décor designed by artists, a sculpture garden, a hair salon and well-being room, computer zone and round-the-clock care.

The development, designed by architects Pozzoni, and built by has been built by north west construction and development firm Southdale, received £2.9m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

It is one of the first in the area to meet latest Extra Care standards that combine the privacy and independence of a self-contained apartment with the social opportunities of communal areas and peace of mind of 24-hour staffing.


Homes are designed for tenants aged over 55 to receive as much care as they need without having to move.

Higher Blackley has one of Manchester's largest populations of older people so it was an ideal location for The Byrons, named after the poet Lord Byron whose family were landowners in the area.

Reaching level three of the Code for Sustainable homes, The Byrons has solar panels, an air source heat pump system that distributes warm air around the building, plus communal hot water and underfloor heating.

Apartments have sophisticated intercoms that allow staff and tenants to converse and the development has a secure entry system.

Art and health specialists Open Art handled the interior design of the scheme, choosing energising colours and patterns for communal areas and calming shades for apartments.

They also commissioned bespoke art for walls and sculptures for the garden.

Stephen Porter, chief executive at non-profit-making Great Places Housing Group, said: "These apartments are really special. We are delighted to be able to offer such a fabulous place to people who need care or support."

(CD)