The investment in 55 acres of land will see the housebuilder increase the number of its current developments from six to nine, subject to planning permission, over the next six months, rising to ten by 2020.

In Dalkeith, Bellway is planning to build Summerville Gardens, a site of 82 private and 27 affordable homes, close to its Duke’s Meadow development in the Wester Cowden area of the town.

A short distance from Bellway’s Livingston head office, the company is launching Laurel Park in Murieston, a development of 120 private and 70 affordable homes. 

The company is purchasing a new site in Penicuik, Ladywood View, creating 91 new homes, and a further 144 properties at a site in Blindwells, near Prestonpans.

The latest acquisitions follow a busy time for the housebuilder which launched its Scotland East division in August last year to meet demand from house-hunters in the East.

In June the company launched two new developments. Winchburgh Grange will feature a further 93 units beside its existing sell-out development, which forms part of the £1 billion project by Tom Hunter’s West Coast Capital combining residential, leisure, business and educational facilities, along with a 75-acre park and a marina.

Just four miles from Edinburgh city centre, work is also underway to build 128 private homes and 42 affordable properties at West Edge Meadows in the sought-after Gilmerton area.

Iain Allison, regional director Bellway Homes Ltd (Scotland East), said: “The first twelve months has been very successful and everybody has settled in well to the new business. The market in the East continues to look strong with a lot of pent up demand in key commuter locations such as Broxburn and East Calder.

“We are also seeing the benefits of a strong market for second-hand homes as our buyers are finding it easy to sell their existing properties either independently or with the help of our popular Express Mover package.”

The housebuilder’s new sites join current developments: Shawfair near Sheriffhall, Chandler’s Way in Broxburn, Charlotte Gate in Perth and Calderwood in East Calder.   

Iain added: “It is an exciting time for the business as we take the Bellway brand into new areas providing much needed private and social housing in key locations and creating employment opportunities for local contractors.”