Strong community support for new Dial House Place housing development in Rainford
St Helens Borough Council has welcomed the opening of Dial House Place, a major new housing development in Rainford that is already receiving positive feedback.
Article date: 11 September 2025
Together, Dial House Place and the adjoining Rookery Place development schemes, both being delivered by Miller Homes, will provide 307 new homes on a site allocated in the St Helens Local Plan, including 92 affordable properties - the largest delivery of social and affordable housing in Rainford since the 1980s. These homes will be made available through a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership, helping more local families and first-time buyers secure a home in the borough.
Councillor Trisha Long, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said:
"This development is a significant step forward for Rainford, bringing the most affordable homes to the village in more than 40 years. At a time when the need for good quality, accessible housing is greater than ever, it is encouraging to see a development that gives local people the chance to live in affordable, modern homes while staying close to their families and support networks."
Miller Homes opened Dial House Place on Higher Lane in Rainford, with a public launch event held in August.
Clare Noakes, sales director for Miller Homes North West, said:
"It was fantastic to welcome so many people from the community and those interested in buying a home at Dial House Place. The feedback we received on the day was very positive and we are looking forward to helping more people find their new home here."
In addition to new homes, the project will bring over £1.6 million in community investment through Section 106 contributions, helping to improve facilities and services in Rainford and the wider area. This includes:
- £225,113 for local NHS services
- £113,924 for secondary education
- Up to £180,000 per year for five years to fund extended bus services, plus £15,350 for monitoring the Travel Plan
- £208,483.92 for improvements to Rainford Linear Park, including new footways, safer crossings, better pedestrian and cycle access, and enhanced access to Rainford Allotments
Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, added:
"Dial House Woods is also about quality and place. This is a desirable part of our borough, and the new homes are being delivered to a high standard as part of our balanced Local Plan.
"The developments by Miller Homes here in Rainford will also bring over £1.6 million of Section 106 funding to the community, supporting vital improvements to health services, schools, public transport, and local parks - benefits that will be felt across Rainford for years to come."
Construction at Dial House Woods is progressing well, with the council's latest monitoring confirming four homes now fully completed and 59 more under construction as of June 2025.
Dial House Place is part of a wider two-site development by Miller Homes in Rainford that also includes the adjoining Rookery Place.
The development's sales centre and show home at Dial House Place are now open to the public from Thursday to Monday, 10.30am - 5.30pm.
A second show home and sales centre will open later this year at the sister site, Rookery Place.