Work has started on the first new homes to be built at one of Scotland’s most eagerly anticipated developments and there is more good news to come in 2021.

At Blindwells in East Lothian, Bellway has started on the groundworks for its Prince’s Gate development, which will comprise 144 new homes. Providing a mix of three, four and five bedroom, terrace, semi and detached properties, all homes at Prince’s Gates will feature solar panels. The first properties will be available to reserve in the spring when prices will be released.

Blindwells, which is located less than 10 miles east of Edinburgh, has outline planning permission for 1,600 homes.  Hargreaves Land’s proposals also include new education facilities, a healthcare hub, local retail outlets and a range of other services to help establish a thriving new community.

Iain Slater, development and estates director at Hargreaves Land, said: “Over the past six years significant investment has been made in order to facilitate new residential development at Blindwells, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome the start of Prince’s Gate.

“We have experienced a strong level of interest from housebuilders since we started marketing the scheme last year, which has led to us making excellent progress on the residential element of Blindwells. In the coming weeks we will be launching the marketing of the next residential plot and announcing the start of the next phase of residential development, so we have a lot to look forward to, despite the challenges that the pandemic has presented.”

In recent weeks Hargreaves Land has exchanged a conditional sale contract with Persimmon for a 12.9-acre plot, where there is capacity for a further 196 homes including 30 designated as affordable. The sale is conditional upon receipt of detailed planning permission and the completion of infrastructure works to service the site.

Commenting on Prince’s Gate, Lynn Pringle, sales director at Bellway Homes Limited (Scotland East), said: “With a rich heritage, spectacular surrounding countryside and an excellent commuting location, Blindwells is set to become a highly desirable residential development, and this is already evident in the interest we are receiving from potential house buyers.

“We are delighted to be a vanguard on the development, creating quality family homes, and look forward to seeing the site taking shape and welcoming new residents.”

The new Bellway homes will range from the Benbecula, a three-bedroom terraced family home with spacious living and French doors in the lounge, to the Sunningdale, an impressive five-bedroom home with an integral double garage.

Hargreaves Land is the property and land division of Hargreaves Services plc, which employs more than 2,000 people and delivers key projects and services in the property and industrial sectors, with a growing focus on optimising the development value of its 12,000-acre land portfolio.