£6.8m scheme for vulnerable residents up and running

Vulnerable residents in Salford are now enjoying state-of-the-art modern living after the completion of a £6.8m purpose-built extra care facility.

The Bourke Gardens scheme in Walkden has been designed by John McCall Architects for social landlord City West Housing Trust, part of the ForViva group.

The three-storey complex comprises of 56 modern, open plan one and two-bedroom apartments.

Some 44 are one-bed apartments (four of which are designed specifically for wheelchair access for Salford City Council allocations) for two people and 12 are two-bed apartments for three people.

A large lounge and dining area provides views onto tranquil communal landscaped gardens featuring a mixture of new planting and retained mature trees.

Entrances have been designed to create an attractive homely feel and sense of identity for residents through the rich use of materials, colours and textures.

The scheme is accessed by an internal and external ‘street’ giving residents easy access to nearby town centre facilities and improved surveillance from the reception and staff offices.

The extra care scheme has a range of useful on-site amenities including a hairdressing salon, consultation suite, restaurant and an assisted bathing facility.

Associate at John McCall Architects, Joanne Mountfield, said: “Bourke Gardens is an example of modern day extra care at its very best with facilities tailor made to meet vulnerable residents’ specific needs.

“Residents will benefit and enjoy living in apartments that have been designed to the highest standards making them warm, light, secure and comfortable.

“Each has a private external space – balconies to the upper floors and patios at ground level with privacy hedge screening.”

Nigel Sedman, director of investment & regeneration at ForViva, said: “It is vital that we are able to bring forward schemes like Bourke Gardens that allow people to access the care they need while still living independently in their own homes and communities.

“Developments such as this bridge the gap between health, social care and housing services, allowing people to enjoy a good quality of life for longer.”  
   
The complex also provides parking spaces for 28 cars, eight scooters and six bikes.