Plans for £200m urban community near Edinburgh Published duration 20 May 2014

image copyright Shawfair image caption The £200m Shawfair development includes a residential and commercial quarter, with about 4,000 new homes

Plans for a new community on the edge of Edinburgh have been dubbed the "largest urban expansion project" the area has seen.

The £200m Shawfair development includes a residential and commercial quarter, with about 4,000 new homes.

There will also be two new primaries and a secondary school, along with a rail link on the new Borders line.

The project, by developers Shawfair LLP, has been launched by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

It will include one million sq ft of commercial and retail space and will have a town centre and a supermarket.

The primary schools will cater for up to 800 pupils and the secondary school will be able to take 1,200.

'Impressive development'

The project is expected to take at least 15 years to complete.

The developers said it would provide a net economic output of about £32.2m a year during development and £99.9m a year after that.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The venture will boost local employment, create jobs, support skills development and strengthen Scotland's infrastructure. The fact that it will be accessible as part of the Borders Rail route will make the project even more attractive.

"Shawfair is an impressive development with significant benefits to the local economy and community.

"Creating nearly 1,000 full-time jobs during the construction phase and over 4,000 upon completion, this project will provide countless opportunities, not only for the young apprentices joining us here today, but for those of the future."

'Great place'

Andrew Mickel, from Shawfair LLP said, "The Shawfair project has long been in development. Our vision is to build a new self -sufficient community supported by a vibrant town centre with public amenities such as schools and a healthcare centre, transforming the area.

"We look forward to working closely with local councillors and the community to deliver a modern town suited to the needs of the people of Edinburgh and Midlothian."

Midlothian Council leader, Councillor Owen Thompson, said: "As a council we have been very supportive of the Shawfair vision and look forward to it becoming a reality.

"As well as housing, this development will have a considerable number of amenities and facilities which will make it a great place to live."