As part of its new build programme, Barratt will also continue to increase its investment in land after successfully acquiring and securing planning permission for new development at seven new sites in the past six months.

As Scotland’s largest housebuilder, the Barratt workforce has grown 9% in the past year with plans to expand further. The firm is looking to recruit more apprentices, graduates and ex-armed forces personnel than ever to create over 50 new jobs in Scotland to add to its 6500 strong team, which includes both employees and contractors. Barratt predominately employs local sub-contractors and tradesmen ensuring that the businesses and people living and working close to developments will benefit directly from the jobs.

In addition to recruitment, Barratt’s 2022/23 growth plans feed into its long-term goal to increase its use of offsite construction methods while reducing its carbon footprint. This will be enabled by further investment in timber frame technology at Selkirk-based Oregon Timber Frame Limited, which Barratt Developments acquired in 2019. Timber frame construction is also a key element of Barratt’s strategy for addressing the skills challenge facing the industry.

In addition to its core brand, Barratt said it will also continue to focus on developing the David Wilson Homes business in Scotland, with further expansion planned into the North region at Countesswells, Findrassie and Elgin. 

Barratt’s 2022 plans underline the group’s confidence in the fundamentals of investing and building in Scotland, including continued demand for sustainable new homes and changing demographics even in an uncertain economy. Estimates from Homes for Scotland have suggested that 465,000 new homes will be required by 2035 in order to meet housing need.

Douglas McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Developments in Scotland, said: “Every day on our sites across Scotland our experienced, skilled team are hard at work answering a demand for high quality, energy efficient, sustainable housing. 

“With new housing follows plenty of new jobs and we are proud to recruit from and around the communities in which we are building.  We know we are supporting local economies across Scotland by spending on local services and goods.

“As a business, the development of our talent is very close to our hearts and we want to hear from school leavers interested in apprenticeships, as well graduates and those looking for their next role.  We are proud to say that many of our leaders responsible for managing and delivering multi-million pound housing developments started out as apprentices.

“Overall, we’re looking forward to a busy new financial year, boosted by a swift return to pre-Covid levels of productivity and growth.”

The 14 new developments span the length and breadth of Scotland and include Craigtoun, St Andrews, Mains Loan in Dundee and Newton Farm and Jackton Hall in South Lanarkshire.