A trio of housebuilders are to deliver over 500 new homes at the Shawfair community in Midlothian.
Bellway and Miller Homes are to build 358 new homes for sale or affordable rent while Mactaggart & Mickel Homes is delivering 170 homes at its nearby ‘Millerhill at Shawfair’ development.
Bellway is building 236 homes comprising three, four and five-bedroom houses in semi-detached and detached styles. Miller Homes is to pre-launch its adjacent site from the ESPC showroom in George Street, Edinburgh this month, providing 122 three, four and five-bedroom family homes.
Mactaggart & Mickel Homes’ development launched in April this year, with properties ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached villas and an additional 32 affordable homes.
Once completed, Shawfair will be the fourth largest town in Midlothian, comparable in size with Cupar, Dunblane or Linlithgow.
James Palmer, associate director of Shawfair LLP, commented, “Over 500 new homes signals a major step forward in making our vision for Shawfair a reality. New housing is desperately needed and I am delighted that Shawfair has attracted housebuilders of the highest calibre to help us achieve that vision.
“Properties are already selling well, with lots of interest from people who are attracted by the benefits of country living. Shawfair is just 15 minutes from Edinburgh by train, and offers fast transport connections further afield. This is hugely positive news for the area, creating scores of jobs across the three sites.”
Cllr Stephen Curran, cabinet member for housing at Midlothian Council, added, “It’s exciting to see the new town of Shawfair beginning to take shape. That said, we realise it is a huge undertaking building a new town from scratch. It’s vital therefore, that surrounding communities are on-board every step of the way. We want to make sure local people feel listened to, that they understand what’s happening and how they can share in the benefits this new urban expansion will bring.
“This is an unprecedented development with a total value of £1.2 billion, able to support an estimated 6,500 jobs.
“The 20-year project, which includes 4,000 new homes – 20% or more of which must be affordable – represents the biggest urban expansion in Scotland in modern times. It will potentially pump almost £100m into the local economy each year once completed. That’s not just good news for Shawfair, that’s good news for the surrounding communities, Midlothian and Scotland as a whole.”
