Cruden Homes and Mac Mic Group get green light for landmark Millerhill development

Two of Scotland’s most established property companies, with a combined 181 years of expertise, are set to invest into the thriving community at Millerhill, just south-east of Edinburgh. Cruden Homes, with 81 years of innovation in homebuilding, and Mac Mic Group, marking its centenary next year, have secured planning consent for 172 energy-efficient new homes in one of Scotland’s most vibrant and best-connected new communities.

The Millerhill development is part of the wider Shawfair masterplan to create a new town on Edinburgh’s doorstep. The new development will include a mix of private sale, build-to-rent, and affordable housing, helping to combat Edinburgh’s ongoing housing emergency. Work will start in early 2025, with the first phase of homes expected to be completed and ready for residents by the end of the year.

Both businesses have a strong local heritage, having been involved in the delivery of a number of new homes in the area in recent years. This latest development includes a range of houses and flats for private sale, offering an impressive selection of two-bedroom flats, two- and three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached homes, four-bedroom townhouses, and four- and five-bedroom detached properties. Additionally, a number of houses and flats are to be retained by Mac Mic Group as part of its longstanding rental portfolio, offering an important alternative for home seekers. Thirty-five homes, consisting of six houses and 29 flats, will be affordable, providing much-needed options for local families and individuals.

Nestled in the desirable Millerhill area, this thoughtfully designed development combines the appeal of country living with exceptional transport links to Edinburgh, the Borders, and beyond. Residents will enjoy a new neighbourhood with landscaped streets, carefully planned frontages, extensive landscaping throughout and a tree-lined corridor.

The new homes lie within easy reach of the vibrant new Shawfair town centre, with a health club, offices, shops and places to eat, and are well served by excellent local schools and plentiful landscaped green space, woodland paths and open water. The development is close to Shawfair train station and benefits from a network of cycle and walking paths, providing an abundance of sustainable transport options.

All of the new homes will incorporate a cutting-edge district heating system, providing a low-carbon solution for heating and hot water. This innovative heat network eliminates the need for individual boilers and significantly reduces carbon emissions.

Kevin Reid, Executive Chairman of Cruden, said:
“We are delighted to take forward this fantastic new development at Millerhill in partnership with Mac Mic Group. Not only will it deliver much-needed new housing across all tenures, but it will also add to an already vibrant, sustainable community that offers the perfect blend of connectivity, green spaces, and excellent amenities on the doorstep. Work will start early next year and will deliver a blueprint for quality, energy-efficient new homes that are perfectly suited to the needs of modern living.”

Andrew Mickel, Group Director of Mac Mic Group, added:
“2025 marks our centenary year in the land and property sector and Mac Mic is proud to continue our legacy of quality placemaking on this important development in partnership with Cruden Homes. Millerhill, and the wider Shawfair area, offers the best of country living, just 15 minutes from Waverley Station, making it an increasingly sought-after neighbour to the Capital. Edinburgh is facing a well-documented housing emergency, and this innovative new development will be part of the solution, providing a diverse range of high-quality homes, including affordable housing, private rental options, and homes for sale.”