Senior St Helens Borough councillor welcomes approval of affordable housing schemes

Article date: 9 November 2023

At a planning committee this week, applications were heard for 307 dwellings on land adjacent to Rookery Lane in Rainford by Miller Homes, and for 168 dwellings on a vacant industrial estate on Lancots Lane, Sutton, as part of a social housing scheme by Stanley Investments Limited and Torus 62 Limited.  

Both sites are identified as suitable for development in the Local Plan and will go some way in addressing the borough's housing requirements, with latest data showing that there are 6,953 people on a waiting list for an affordable home in St Helens Borough.    

As part of the Rookery Lane development, a significant Section 106 contribution totalling up to more than £1m has been brought forward by the developer to improve local infrastructure and services in Rainford, including public transport, active travel, educational and healthcare provision improvements -   while the Lancots Lane scheme will complement other local developments, including Moss Nook, to bring a good mix of housing to the area.  

 Councillor Richard McCauley, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning said:     

"During my time on the council I don't recall there being a planning committee with as many affordable housing items on one agenda, which is great to see and is proof that our Local Plan is addressing the housing crisis and the needs of residents in our borough.    

"A huge amount of credit deserves to go to officers for putting together these first-class reports that were balanced, setting out the merits of each development and I'm proud to have been part of the planning committee to approve them. Everyone deserves the right to quality housing and schemes like this will allow more people to benefit from this."