The trust, which recently inaugurated its eighth development in East Lothian, is presently on the lookout for additional sites to supplement its existing portfolio of 181 completed homes in the area.

The recent Gardiner Square development in Prestonpans, constructed by Cruden Homes, was officially opened by Scotland’s Housing Minister, Paul McLennan MSP.

He said: “The right to a warm, safe and affordable home is critical to wellbeing and is a right everyone deserves. Lar Housing Trust plays a valuable role in increasing the range of housing available to rent throughout Scotland.

“£55 million of Scottish Government funding together with £65m of private funding has enabled Lar to provide over 700 homes for mid-market rent throughout Scotland.

“I am impressed by the quality of the developments from Lar Housing Trust. High quality housing is a key pillar of our long-term housing strategy Housing to 2040, along with eradicating fuel poverty and homelessness and ensuring everyone has access to green space and essential services.”

The completed site marks a first for Lar as it includes four three-bed houses designed by its own in-house architect. There are also a further 22 flats offering a mix of one and two-bed homes.

Chief executive, Ann Leslie, said: ““I’m delighted to have welcomed the Housing Minister to our newest development. He has been very supportive of Lar in the past and took part in the sod cutting ceremony at the outset of the construction work, so he has a first-hand view of the before and after look of this site.

“Demand for our homes across the country is at an all-time high with every single one of our 730 available properties across Scotland allocated or occupied and in East Lothian, demand is showing no sign of slowing down.

“We have immediately filled all but two of the 42 recently completed properties at this and our Meadow House development, also in Prestonpans, from our own waiting list and I expect any future developments to attract the same level of attention. The two unlet flats are being kept aside for applicants with a disability.”

In the previous month, Lar opened another Prestonpans site that includes 16 two-bed flats and three commercial units, one of which will serve as a base for Lar’s staff in the area. The trust now owns 44 sites across Scotland, either completed, under construction, or in the planning phase.