Scottish housing charity LAR Housing Trust has concluded a deal to buy 19 properties in Macmerry, its third development in East Lothian since its launch a year ago.

The site on Westbank Road in the town has been primed for development for the last two years and work is now underway to complete the site.

LAR provides high quality homes at below market rents and has focused its initial development work around Scotland on the Lothians and Aberdeen areas.

Chairman Andrew Robertson said: “We’re delighted to have concluded this deal and to get a stalled site moving again. These will be excellent homes and will address a pressing need for more affordable housing in the area. We have already completed a development at Pinkie Mains in Musselburgh and concluded a deal at Cockenzie and this latest site in Macmerry is a very welcome addition to our portfolio.”

The move has also been welcomed by East Lothian Council and cabinet spokesman for the environment and housing, Norman Hampshire, who said: “It’s great that work on this site will be completed in the near future. East Lothian Council is committed to exploring innovative ways of providing affordable housing with a range of partners. We continue to build new council homes and are working closely with the Scottish Government, private developers and our delivery partners to ensure a good supply and range of affordable housing across East Lothian.”

The five three-bed and 14 two-bed properties are being built by Springfield Partnerships.

Managing director, Tom Leggeat, said: “We are delighted to be finishing construction on 19 new homes for the LAR Housing Trust and in doing so helping address the local housing need in East Lothian. The Mid Market Rent build is progressing well with completion scheduled for May 2017.”

LAR aims to provide at least 1,000 affordable homes over the next five years across Scotland.