A £1.2 billion project to build a new town with 350 new homes for sale or affordable rent represents “the biggest urban expansion in Scotland in modern times”, according to Midlothian Council.

Cllr Stephen Curran, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said he was excited “to see the new town of Shawfair beginning to take shape”.

Bellway and Miller Homes are building 358 new homes for sale or affordable rent at Shawfair, complementing a nearby development of 170 new homes by Mactaggart & Mickel Homes.

Bellway is building 236 three, four and five-bedroom homes in a prime location west of Shawfair railway station. A wide range of semi-detached and detached house styles are available for sale. The first homes are being marketed now with move in dates from summer 2018.

Miller Homes will pre-launch their adjacent site on 28 October from the ESPC showroom in George Street, Edinburgh, providing a further 122 three, four and five-bedroom family homes from May 2018. The official launch follows on 11 November.

Mactaggart & Mickel Homes launched their Millerhill at Shawfair development in April this year. Situated off Old Craighall Road around a ‘village square’, properties range from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached villas, plus a further 32 affordable homes. The first residents moved in this summer.

Cllr Curran said: “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.”

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