A new investment vehicle that will provide up to 1,000 affordable homes for rent across Scotland was launched this week, paving the way for new construction jobs.

It is funded by a £55 million loan from the Scottish Government, with matching private investment expected to lift the overall funding package to more than £100 million.

House builders and developers, in partnership with LAR and local authorities, are being invited to get involved in delivering a pipeline of affordable housing.

Eligible tenants are allocated homes based on affordability and income criteria, ensuring tenancies are provided to those in most need.

LAR builds on the Scottish Government’s successful National Housing Trust initiative and means, since 2012, approaching 4,000 new affordable homes have been approved through a range of innovative financing mechanisms, unlocking up to half a billion pounds of housing investment.

There is potential for the LAR model to be extended and replicated widely in the future to provide more affordable homes to meet the significant demand for mid-rent housing.

In Musselburgh, where East Lothian Council and Taylor Wimpey are set to deliver the first LAR housing development, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said: “We continue to lead the way in the UK in developing innovative financial models, such as guarantees, loans, grant recycling and new sources of private funding to accelerate the supply of affordable homes. These pioneering approaches help us to make taxpayers’ money stretch further.

“LAR will deliver up to 1,000 homes for mid-market rent offering tenants high quality, affordable mid-rent homes across Scotland, supporting local communities to thrive, tackling inequality and addressing housing need.

“These homes will be in addition to the 30,000 affordable homes, of which at least two thirds will be for social rent, that will be delivered by the end of this Parliament. And there is potential for this model to be extended more widely to meet the significant demand for mid-rent housing.”

Plans by Praxis Holdings for a 1million sq ft employment park at Whitebirk in Lancashire have been given the go-ahead by Hyndburn Council.

The 85-acre mixed-use scheme, known as Frontier Park, incorporates industrial and distribution units, in addition to 35,000 sq ft of hotel, food and leisure space.

Frontier Park is part of Lancashire’s strategic economic plan which aims to generate almost 10,000 jobs and more than £500 million for the local economy in East Lancashire through key employment sites such as Frontier Park.

Following the planning consent, preparatory works are scheduled to start on site in December 2015 and expected to last nine months.

The initial phase of construction is set to begin in 2016 with the first building occupied by the end of 2017. It is envisaged that the entire development will be completed within five years.

Gabriel McLaughlin, director and head of asset management at Praxis, said: “Frontier Park is a major development proposition that is not only exciting for us as developers, but also for Lancashire given it will create thousands of jobs for local people and encourage substantial inward investment.”

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis today announced new measures that will make it easier to turn underused office buildings into new homes.

The move will provide thousands of new homes, and make the best use of existing buildings including some that are underused and neglected – while at the same time boosting the building trades.

Brandon Lewis said: “We’re determined that, both in Whitehall and in town halls, everything is done to get the homes we need built.

“Today’s measures will mean we can tap into the potential of underused buildings to offer new homes for first-time buyers and families long into the future, breathing new life into neighbourhoods and at the same time protecting our precious green belt.”

First introduced in 2013, temporary permitted development rights have enabled offices to be converted to new homes without having to apply for planning permission.

It has meant that between April 2014 and June this year, almost 4,000 conversions were given the go-ahead.

To further support the delivery of new homes, the rights will in future allow the demolition of office buildings and new building for residential use.

In addition, new permitted development rights will enable the change of use of light industrial buildings and launderettes to new homes.

Construction work has started on a new £4.2 million rent-to-buy housing development in Newton Mearns.

The pioneering Greenlaw scheme will provide tenants with an affordable way to buy a new-build home while boosting the construction trades.

It is the first development in Scotland for affordable housing provider QSH, which is targeting £250 million from UK-based investors to deliver 2,000 properties, many of which will be built north of the border.

Tenants in Newton Mearns are due to begin moving into the 42, two bedroom homes – which are being built by Wates Living Space, just off Stewarton Road – in spring 2016.

Under the innovative QSH-rent-to-buy scheme, they will pay rents which are two thirds of the local market rate. Half of each of each tenant’s rental payments will automatically be put towards the deposit they need to secure a mortgage to buy their home.

Tenants will have the option to buy between their first and fifth year of living in their new homes. Those who choose to purchase their properties will receive a discount of up to 10% of the open market value.

Mick Holling, Business Director for Wates Living Space said: “The start of work on site marks the beginning of our work here in Newton Mearns. We are very proud to be QSH’s business partners in the delivery of quality homes that will fulfil the needs and aspirations of local people.”

Balfour Beatty has has been awarded a new framework agreement by Western Power Distribution for its excavation, cable laying and reinstatement works in the South Wales operating region.

Balfour Beatty has signed the initial three year contract, worth £37.5 million, to manage planned and reactive low voltage to 33Kv cabling works.

Work is due to start on the 1st November 2015 and subject to successful performance, there is an option to extend the agreement for a further two years, taking the overall potential value to around £62 million over five years.

Neil Kirkby, Balfour Beatty Managing Director – Power Transmission & Distribution, said: “Securing this new framework agreement is once again recognition of the capability and expertise we bring to the industry. We have worked with Western Power Distribution for over 20 years and we’re looking forward to continuing this relationship.

“Balfour Beatty is committed to delivering high levels of client satisfaction and we will be doing everything we can to help Western Power Distribution achieve its targets.”

Balfour Beatty is committed to providing benefits to the local communities in which they operate and the project will include approximately 170 employees with 90% of this direct employment for Balfour Beatty, and a cohort of local sub-contractors who have remained on the contract for several years.

Business Minister for Wales Jane Hutt is set to increase the value of EU investments from collaborative projects with other EU regions to help boost the Welsh economy.

Launching Wales’ European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes action plan, the Minister will highlight the collaborative opportunities for Welsh businesses that will drive economic growth and create new jobs.

The Minister said: “The EU’s key programmes for supporting co-operation between partners across national borders and regions have paved the way for many fruitful partnerships over the years.

“Looking ahead, we are committed to strengthening relations between regions building on partnerships and networks to increase joint working so we achieve maximum benefit for our region.

“This source of funding is additional to the Structural Funds that Wales receives and provides many opportunities for collaborative projects with our European counterparts. It is yet another example of how UK membership of the EU is vital to sustainable growth and jobs in Wales.”

The strategic initiative will bring experts together from across Europe to develop the potential of sustainable energy. Its aim was to reduce CO2 emissions and dependency on unsustainable energy sources in North West Europe by developing algae-based fuel as a renewable power source.

Planning rules on brownfield sites are being removed to free up land for the building of new homes, paving the way for thousands of jobs in the construction industry.

The housing budget is directed towards new ‘low cost homes for sale’ for first-time buyers and housing association tenants given the right-to-buy to increase home ownership and construction.

Another improvement is about the existing 89 Local Authority pension funds which will be pooled into half a dozen British Wealth Funds, each with assets of over £25 billion. This step will save millions of pounds every year in costs and fees. The new funds will develop the expertise to invest in infrastructure.

The government will bring forward sales of land, buildings and other assets the government bought or built, raising up to £5 billion over the course of this Parliament. The funds from these sales will be recycled to help fund new infrastructure projects.

A new independent National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is being created today (5 October 2015). It will be charged with offering unbiased analysis of the UK’s long-term infrastructure needs.

Commenting on the National Infrastructure Commission the Chancellor, George Osborne, said: “The Commission will calmly and dispassionately assess the future infrastructure needs of the country and it will hold any government’s feet to the fire if it fails to deliver.

“I am delighted that the former Cabinet Minister and Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis has agreed to be the Commission’s first Chair and help us create Britain’s plan for the future.”

Willmott Dixon has secured a £21 million contract for three schools in Milton Keynes that mark the first phase of the council’s £160 million schools investment programme.

Peter Owen, managing director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Demand for schools places across the country is outstripping supply and Milton Keynes is not unique in implementing a major school investment programme.

“We’ve delivered several programmes to revitalise schools across the country and will be deploying our know-how and skills in Milton Keynes.”

Milton Keynes Council aims to deliver over 10,000 much-needed new school places and Willmott Dixon’s initial role will see it build the first three schools, Newton Leys, Fairfield and Whitehouse Primary Schools, which will open ready for the new intake of pupils in September 2016.

In recent years, Willmott Dixon has transformed school accommodation in Liverpool, Middleborough, Isle of Wight, Bedfordshire, Southampton and Warwickshire with multiple projects that replaced life-expired property or created new schools to provide extra capacity for places.

Milton Keynes Council enlisted this education sector expertise for its first tranche of schools through the National Major Works Framework, one of six frameworks provided by Scape Group.

The entire programme will see Milton Keynes create seven new schools as well as expand 12 schools by 2018.

Morgan Sindall is set to build a new £8.9 million Ermine Street Church Academy in Huntingdon, an area which will also include the construction of 5,000 new homes.

The project for Cambridgeshire County Council is the first school in the new Alconbury Weald development by Urban and Civic which will provide a new community on a former airfield near Huntingdon.

The academy will be run by the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust, and the first phase of the single-storey school is due to open in September 2016.

Andrew Read, CEO of the Diocese of Ely Multi Academy Trust (DEMAT) said: “The school will take a central place in the locality, and we look forward to working with Morgan Sindall in securing the best possible educational outcomes for future generations, and nurturing the developing community spirit of Alconbury Weald.”

Bob Ensch, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: “This is an important appointment for us and plays directly to our strengths and experience creating innovative learning environments for young people across the country.

“The facility will act as a dynamic hub for more than 600 students, providing an engaging educational space for pupils to enjoy and supporting the emerging Alconbury Weald development as it continues to expand.”

A double-height vaulted roof assembly hall will form the central core area of the building. The school will house 17 classrooms initially with an additional six in phase two, along with a state-of-the-art learning resource centre.

The new building will be partially powered by photovoltaic solar panels and is on track to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’.