A NEW multi-million pound housing development just for the elderly opens in Atherton today.

Belong Atherton is a £10m community village which will provide 120 jobs and care for more than 100 older people and those with dementia.

The village, off Mealhouse Lane, even has its own hair and beauty salon, bistro, meeting hall and internet café.

It is managed by Belong, one of the UK’s leading providers of care services and accommodation.

The development offers stylish apartments and supported households with private modern suites and open plan lounge and kitchen areas.

Belong caters for a mixture of needs and encourages independent living with specialised ‘living well with dementia’ support.

It has been built on the former site of the traditional care home Manor Fold.

Derek and May Franey are the first people to move into the new village which fully opens today.

The timing is perfect for the couple, originally from Salford, as next month they will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

Mrs Franey said: “Our two-bedroom apartment is beautiful.

Everything is ideal for us – it’s very modern and secure. There’s even a bus stop right outside.”

Belong Atherton also has six family-sized “households” to accommodate 12 older people per household and provide specialist residential, dementia and nursing care.

It also contains a range of one and two-bedroomed homes.

Residents can buy or rent and a range of flexible packages is available.

Open days were held at the weekend and residents are due to move in this week.

The charity already has a village in Platt Bridge, Wigan, which has received the highest quality rating by the Care Quality Commission.

Julie Washington, Belong Atherton general manager, said: “The apartments enable people to live as independently as possible, with support — if it is needed — available 24 hours a day. One of the reasons that residents love living in Belong villages is that everything is organised around how the residents want to live.

“The apartments are comfortable and modern and are available with either one or two bedrooms.

“Choice and independence are at the heart of the Belong way of life. People are supported to enjoy life and take decisions just as they have always done.”

For more details, call 01942 316556.