The Scottish Government has unveiled a package of measures including a new £50 million infrastructure fund to help speed up construction of thousands of homes.

A flexible grant and loan fund will help unlock strategic housing sites of importance to local authorities.

And all planning appeals for housing proposals of more than 100 units will now be recalled to “ensure housing land supply issues are given ministerial scrutiny.”

The Scottish Government has made a five year commitment to deliver at least 50,000 affordable homes, 70 per cent for social rent, backed by investment of over £3 billion.

“The £50 million infrastructure fund will help unblock sites that are strategically important to councils and that have the potential to accelerate the delivery of thousands of new homes across the country,” said social justice secretary Alex Neil.

“To make that happen we will team up with public and private sector bodies to tackle complex development, financing, infrastructure and planning issues impeding housing supply.

“We will also explore more innovative financing to build more homes for mid-market rent.”