War veterans will be among those to benefit from extra cash for schemes aimed at helping first-time buyers, the Scottish government has said. It is injecting a further £13m into shared equity schemes designed for people who would not otherwise be able to afford to buy their first home. Priority groups eligible to apply for cash include members of the armed forces and veterans. Partners of service personnel killed in action can also apply. The schemes, which are part of the Scottish government's Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers (Lift), are open as well to people who rent a … [Read more...]

CONSTRUCTION firm Mactaggart & Mickel is unveiling a £45 million expansion across the Central Belt after snapping up land from failed housebuilder Applecross. The luxury-apartment maker collapsed at the height of the property crash in 2009, prompting administrators from accountancy firm PwC to call in Mactaggart & Mickel to finish constructing its flats at Williamwood in Glasgow. Now Glasgow-based Mactaggart & Mickel has bought the remaining land at the site, with planning permission for 23 houses and apartments. Applecross, which was founded in 1979 by Colin Cumberland … [Read more...]