Scottish-based housing specialists Cullross Ltd have launched a further expansion to its Newcraighall site as part of a dedicated new business arm, Cullross Living.

Cullross Living will focus exclusively on delivering Build-to-Rent (BTR) communities across Scotland, helping to grow this fast-emerging sector.

At Newcraighall, 57 homes, around 25% of the development, have been designated for BTR, offering a diverse mix of one-bedroom flats through to spacious four-bedroom townhouses. Unlike traditional schemes built for sale, BTR homes are designed from the outset for long-term renting, providing professionally managed, high-quality housing that meets the changing needs of modern tenants.

The project is backed by funding from Shawbrook Bank, enabling Cullross Living to position Build-to-Rent at the forefront of Scotland’s housing future.

The Newcraighall development, approved by the City of Edinburgh Council in 2023, will deliver 220 new homes east of Glennie Road.

The scheme includes a mix of flats, colony flats, and townhouses, with 163 affordable homes (74%) provided in partnership with Hillcrest Homes and the remainder for private rent. Works are well underway on site, with the first units being completed in Q3 2026.

Cullross Living’s move into Build-to-Rent underlines its commitment to tackling Scotland’s housing emergency, with Cullross Living set to launch fully in 2026 as the first dedicated BTR business of its kind in the country. With both the Scottish Government and 13 local authorities declaring housing emergencies, the need for high-quality new homes has never been greater.

Newcraighall will form part of a sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood, offering schools, green spaces, play parks and a railway station within easy reach, alongside active travel connections to retail and education hubs.

The homes themselves will be spacious, energy-efficient and fossil fuel-free, featuring high-quality finishes and solar PV panels to help reduce bills and boost performance. Designed with both tenants and the environment in mind, the development blends modern living with long-term sustainability.

The development will also feature a linear park and community allotments, creating welcoming outdoor spaces for both residents and the wider community. These green features will enhance local ecology and biodiversity, providing a richer habitat for wildlife. A new active travel route will connect directly to Musselburgh Train Station and the adjacent cycle network, improving accessibility and encouraging sustainable travel.

Mark Beaton, Director at Cullross Living, said: “It’s become fashionable for everyone, including the Scottish Government, to decry a housing emergency but not follow up with how to tackle Scotland’s chronic undersupply of homes.

“BTR represents a fast-paced, exciting, and pioneering solution to get homes to people and families who need them. BTR are homes exclusively made to rent, meaning dedicated housing stock that provides a faster, energised and adaptive solution to the issues keenly felt today.”

He added: “Cullross Living is dedicated to pioneering BTR as a solution. Our sites will offer tenants higher-quality, purpose-built homes with professional management, secure long-term tenancies and predictable rents, promoting a better living experience and a sense of community.

We are delighted to be launching Cullross Living in 2026, and happier still that we can expand on the exceptional work delivering for Edinburgh with our Newcraighall site.

The housing emergency is not going to be resolved overnight, and we continue to work with our stakeholders, partners, and supply chain to continue to deliver new homes and play our part in addressing this. We have further opportunities in the pipeline and will provide more details in the coming months.”

Douglas Spowart, Relationship Director at Shawbrook Bank, said: “We are delighted to support Cullross Living with their Newcraighall development. With demand for housing far outstripping supply, Build-to-Rent has a vital role to play in tackling the shortage by delivering high-quality homes at pace.

At Shawbrook, we are committed to backing innovative developers like Cullross, and this partnership reflects our broader focus on sustainable housing projects that deliver not only much-needed homes, but also vibrant, resilient communities.”