Strategic Land
Shaping Sustainable Communities
At Mactaggart & Mickel, we are dedicated to shaping the future of communities through thoughtful placemaking. As a fourth-generation, family-owned business, we take pride in our legacy of responsible land stewardship and our commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable places where people can live, work, and thrive.
We specialise in promoting land and forming joint ventures with like-minded partners, combining expertise and resources to bring visionary developments to life. Through these collaborations, we transform land into well-designed, thriving communities that meet the needs of today while planning for tomorrow.
One such example is Shawfair, a landmark development that exemplifies our long-term approach to creating connected, sustainable towns and leaving a lasting legacy.
Beyond Shawfair, we are also involved in a range of other joint ventures delivering high-quality developments that reflect our values and our focus on building for the future.
Alongside these projects, we continue to promote a significant portfolio of landholdings — spanning approx. 5,000 acres — in partnership with Cerberus, across Scotland, the South West, and the South East of England. This ensures a strong and diverse pipeline of opportunities to create the next generation of sustainable communities throughout the UK. Visit Mac Mic Strategic Land here.
A Legacy of Community Support
From the outset, Mactaggart & Mickel has been committed to contributing to the growth and development of our local communities. Through our projects, we’ve invested in local infrastructure, supported educational initiatives, and backed causes that matter to the people and places we serve.
Shawfair, Midlothian
As a founding partner in the Shawfair joint venture, alongside Buccleuch Property, Mactaggart & Mickel is proud to help deliver one of Scotland’s most ambitious new towns, located just seven miles from Edinburgh city centre.
Shawfair, once a former industrial landscape with collieries and small settlements, now offers country living with the city easily accessible by both road and rail. Shawfair benefits from a dedicated railway station offering an 15-minute journey to Edinburgh Waverley, fostering sustainable, connected living.
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Infrastructure and Investment Shawfair LLP has secured over £200 million to deliver high-quality homes, community infrastructure, transport connections, and employment land. The District Heating Network, developed in partnership with Vattenfall, is now operational, providing low-carbon heat to homes and public buildings from a £30 million energy centre that opened in 2024.
Work is also underway for a new All-Through Campus, which will serve over 1,800 pupils, with construction set to begin in 2026. Essential infrastructure, including roads, site preparation, and a new Primary Substation, is being delivered to support ongoing development.
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Housing and Community Growth As part of the joint venture, Mactaggart & Mickel’s role has focused on securing planning approvals, delivering core infrastructure, and preparing serviced plots for housebuilders. More than 1,000 homes have been completed, with another 1,000 under construction. Shawfair LLP and its partners — including Miller Homes, Bellway, Cruden Homes, Dandara and others — are delivering a diverse mix of housing to meet the needs of the growing community.
In addition, Mactaggart & Mickel is developing 172 new homes at Longthorn Gardens in partnership with Cruden Group, further contributing to Shawfair’s high-quality, mixed-tenure neighbourhood.
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A Thriving New Community Shawfair’s masterfully designed town centre is taking shape, with a community hub delivered by Mactaggart & Mickel at its heart. Shawfair Business Park is already open, bringing a wealth of employment opportunities to the area. The Co-op is also open, providing essential everyday amenities, while David Lloyd has opened its doors, offering residents state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Furthermore, Sainsbury’s has committed to delivering a new convenience store at Millerhill, further enhancing the convenience of the area for residents.
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Economic Impact Shawfair also supports economic growth with a 20-acre commercial site at Whitehills, adjacent to Fort Kinnaird. Developed by I&H Brown, this employment area is expected to generate over 4,000 jobs and contribute £100 million annually to the regional economy.
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Looking Ahead With a masterplan for 4,000 homes and major community infrastructure already underway, Shawfair LLP remains committed to creating a vibrant, sustainable, and connected new town for Edinburgh’s south-east.
For more information, visit: shawfair.co.uk
East Renfrewshire
As East Renfrewshire Council continues consulting on its third Local Development Plan (LDP3), important decisions lie ahead that will shape how the area grows over the next 10 to 15 years. From housing and local services to transport, green space, jobs, and town centres — these choices will define the future of local communities.
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Scotland’s Housing Emergency This discussion takes place against the backdrop of a national housing emergency, declared unanimously by the Scottish Government in May 2024. The shortage of homes — particularly affordable and downsizer properties — continues to impact families and individuals across the country.
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Community Engagement At Mactaggart & Mickel, we believe development must be done right — by listening carefully, planning responsibly, and respecting the character of each community.
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Our Proposals We’re fully engaged in the current Local Development Plan process because we want to help shape a positive, inclusive future for East Renfrewshire — one that delivers not just homes, but also jobs, services, green spaces, and connections that bring people together.
Our proposals in East Renfrewshire as part of LDP3 include a series of well-planned, mixed-tenure 20-minute neighbourhoods, integrating education, green infrastructure, commercial space, and health facilities:
