Shawfair, located within the Edinburgh City Bypass, is the biggest urban expansion near Edinburgh in modern times with the additional properties from Stewart Milne Homes bringing the total number of new homes with consent to over 1,000.

The first of the 115 houses from Stewart Milne Homes have just been released for sale and a range of three, four, five and six-bedroom homes are available. A further 28 homes are also being built which have been allocated for affordable housing in partnership with Midlothian Council.

Stewart Milne Homes is also supporting the local economy with the creation of apprenticeship roles.

Neil Thomson, deputy managing director for Stewart Milne Homes, said: “‘Stewart Milne Homes has a long and proud tradition of supporting careers in construction with a culture that has no limits on personal development.

“We are actively looking to recruit site-based trade apprentices for Shawfair who will have the opportunity to work and learn on this exciting new community and develop their careers as we play our part in growing this new town.’’

The 16.1-acre (6.5-hectare) land is located on the edge of The Wisp and Danderhall village and is an allocated development site under the adopted Midlothian Local Development Plan. The new community, just south of Edinburgh, is close to Dalkeith Country Park, is set to be Scotland’s best connected new town with excellent connectivity to Edinburgh, the Borders and beyond.

Shawfair will also be one of the first developments to feature newly designed properties from Stewart Milne Homes which were designed during Covid-19 with a new way of living at the forefront of the mind.

The housebuilder is also focused on building a community with tree-lined streets as well as substantial greenspace to be enjoyed by local residents. Adjacent to the development will be a network of cycling and walking paths as well as woodland and play areas. The new homes will also be located close to Shawfair railway station and a regular service taking 15 minutes to Edinburgh City Centre.

The new flexible and adaptable family homes from Stewart Milne Homes will be situated to the west of the vibrant and sustainable Shawfair town centre which will include a new education and community campus, a medical centre and offices, as well as shops and restaurants.

Tony Williamson, sales & marketing director of Stewart Milne Homes, added: “Shawfair is the most significant development near Edinburgh for many years and we are proud to be playing our part in the creation of this new town and community.

“At Stewart Milne Homes we are focused on designing and creating vibrant new places which people will be proud to call home and where they will flourish. It is essential that our developments have a strong sense of place with access to local amenities and greenspace as well as strong connectivity and infrastructure and Shawfair meets our stringent criteria.

“We also want to retain the character of the area with its blend of mining villages and market towns. We are committed to building in the charm and soul you get from these historic towns and villages in order to create an established community where there is spirit and a sense of place from the first day that residents move in.”

Nick Waugh, director of Shawfair LLP, said: “This is significant and welcome progress for the new town of Shawfair. Stewart Milne Homes are of the highest quality and this development will help define the north-west corner of Shawfair between Danderhall and the Wisp, providing an attractive welcome to the town as it continues to take shape. Stewart Milne Homes is also working with us and the local community to enhance this area by supporting landscaping and planting.

“We are noting an increase in demand for housing that provides easy access to green space and an active, outdoors lifestyle, and this is reflected in growing interest from housebuilders to secure a development site at Shawfair.”