Brewster Bye designed scheme to form part of Woodford Garden Village

Anchor Hanover has submitted a planning application for 104 Extra Care homes on the former 4.29 acre Woodford Aerodrome site on Chester Road in Woodford, south of Stockport. The scheme has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects.

The proposed development will provide 104 high-quality Extra Care homes, 87 of which are a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership apartments, and 17 shared ownership bungalows. All residents will enjoy access to on-site communal facilities including a bistro, lounge, hair and beauty salon, guest suite and extensive car parking.

Anchor Hanover’s Extra Care housing schemes provide residents with high-quality housing and the reassurance and flexibility of having essential on-site services, such as care and catering, which may be more appropriate to their needs in later life. Extra Care locations create safe, vibrant communities which enable residents to live independently as their needs and lifestyle change.

The Anchor Hanover community will be part of the 920 home Woodford Garden Village consented masterplan, which also includes generous green and open space, commercial space, plus a pub and primary school. The 205-hectare site was previously home to Woodford Aerodrome, with a long history of aircraft manufacturing dating back to the 1920s including production of many British aviation wonders such as the Lancaster Bomber, Vulcan Bomber and Nimrod. 

Located within the western section of the Garden Village, the scheme will sit within both an existing and newly established residential area, close to Wilmslow, Poynton and Bramhall in the heart of Cheshire. It offers easy access to local amenities and good bus connections along Chester Road, as well as new footpaths that will connect to existing footpaths on Derry Lane.

Charles Taylor, Head of New Business at Anchor Hanover, said:

The latest addition to our portfolio adds another string to our bow. Anchor Hanover’s ambitious development strategy remains comfortably on track, most notably our target to delivery over 5,700 quality homes for people in later life. We look forward to starting on site in early 2022 and welcoming our first residents in spring 2024. Residents will no doubt enjoy being part of the wider Woodford Garden Village and we anticipate great demand for the homes.

Emily Cain from Brewster Bye Architects, said:

Inclusivity has been at the heart of our design process. The apartments and bungalows will operate as one unified development, with care and services being delivered to the occupants of both. People living in the bungalows will have seamless access to the communal facilities in the apartment building, which include a communal lounge, bistro, kitchen, hair salon, and therapy areas.

There will be designated disabled parking, scooter storage and level access for all, with lift access to all upper floors of the apartment building. HAPPI design principles, which include maximizing seating areas, and creating ample communal and shared facilities, as well as a strong connection with the outdoors, have been incorporated by Brewster Bye throughout. 

Nathan Wilkinson, Director at Brewster Bye added:

We are adept at designing innovative, highly functional and welcoming homes for older people, with everything from the materials and lighting styles working together to allow for clear wayfinding both inside and out. Outside, the landscaped areas will take full advantage of the sun orientation and woodland views. The apartments will overlook the central courtyard and will benefit from balconies and patio areas that will be ideal for older people and address the very real need for safe, inclusive properties for the older generation in Cheshire.