A trio of housebuilders have outlined plans to deliver more than 500 new homes at the Shawfair community in Midlothian.

Bellway and Miller Homes are to build 358 new homes for sale or affordable rent to complement a nearby development of 170 new homes by Mactaggart & Mickel Homes.

Bellway’s contribution of 236 three, four and five-bedroom homes wide range of semi-detached and detached house styles will be located west of Shawfair railway station. The first homes are being marketed now with move in dates from summer 2018.

Miller Homes, meanwhile, is to pre-launch its adjacent site on October 28 from the ESPC showroom in George Street, Edinburgh, providing a further 122 three, four and five-bedroom family homes from May 2018.

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. The first residents moved in this summer.

As well as the much-needed homes, Shawfair will have schools, offices and retail outlets plus acres of landscaped outdoor space and cycle paths. In time, an attractive town centre will create a focal point for the whole community.

James Palmer, associate director of Shawfair LLP, said: “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.”

When complete, Shawfair will be the fourth largest town in Midlothian, roughly the same size as Cupar, Dunblane or Linlithgow.

Midlothian Council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Stephen Curran, 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 onboard 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.”