- Single-family rental developer-operator Placefirst has acquired 76 homes from Miller Homes at Lunts Heath Rise, Widnes.
- The forward-funded deal will see Placefirst own and operate the mix of two, three, and four-bedroom homes.
- The latest acquisition marks the continued growth of Placefirst's award-winning North West residential portfolio.
- Miller Homes’ Lunts Heath Rise development will provide a new community of 328 one to five bedroom homes.
Placefirst, the single-family rental developer-operator, continues to grow its award-winning residential portfolio in the North West following the acquisition of a 76-home scheme from Miller Homes.
The forward-funded deal will see Placefirst letting, operating and maintaining a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses within the Lunts Heath Rise development in Widnes once construction is completed in Spring 2026.
With excellent access to Widnes town centre, and just two miles from the M62 motorway, residents are set to reap the social benefits from the well-connected neighbourhood, while the wider town enjoys the economic boost this development will deliver.
The addition of these single-family houses represents a step towards easing the housing shortage in Cheshire, offering residents greater choice and security through professionally managed rental homes.
In addition to the 76 homes acquired by Placefirst, the wider Miller Homes site at Lunts Heath Rise is set to provide a new community featuring 328 one to five bedroom homes. As part of the development, Miller Homes is contributing over £1.2m to the local area with improvements including open and recreational spaces, highway improvements and public transport travel incentives.
The deal follows Placefirst’s recent expansion into the East Midlands with the acquisition of 34 homes in Corby from Jelson Homes, and the expansion of its North East portfolio with a forward funded deal with New Tyne West and Keepmoat for 40 homes.
The collaboration underscores Placefirst’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis by delivering sustainable, high-quality residences that enhance community living.
David Mawson, CEO of Placefirst, said: “Our presence in the North West is well established, however, to fulfil our ambition to increasing the number of options for high-quality rental homes, we can’t rest on our existing successes.
“With the demand for housing continuing to grow, expanding supply is crucial in order to support the region’s communities. Through close collaboration with partners, such as Miller Homes, we will continue to address the UK’s lack of quality housing, delivering professionally maintained homes in the right locations to offer residents the security they need.”
Danny O’Connor, Divisional Managing Director at Miller Homes, said: “Miller Homes is delighted to have agreed a deal with Placefirst to deliver 76 homes for the private rented sector in Widnes, and hope this forms the foundation for many more in the future.
“We look forward to providing high quality and sustainable homes at our Lunts Heath Rise development, and investing in the neighbourhood to ensure that the community we help build, and the people living in it, can grow and prosper.”
Matthew Bench, Group Managing Director – Partnerships at Miller Homes, said: “Building Private Rented Sector homes as part of our business model, like these for Placefirst, allows us to continue diversifying our portfolio, while creating new opportunities for land acquisition and supporting our overall growth ambitions”.