Tag: Queensferry and District Community Council

South Queensferry residents celebrate as brand-new Community Directory for the town is launched

  • It comes as applications for a £5,000 yearly funding pot from Queensferry and District Community Council and Cala Homes opens for submissions

People in South Queensferry are now able to get their hands on a first-of-its-kind community directory after it was launched to the public.

The ‘Welcome to Queensferry’ local directory aims to shine a light on a comprehensive list of amenities in the area, including vital services, historic walks, community events, local groups and clubs, places to shop, eat and drink and tourist attractions, as well as the town’s history.

The book has been developed alongside members of the Queensferry community with the support of local homebuilder, Cala Homes (East).

The directory is available for free for people to collect from the town’s Scotmid supermarket and the Rosebery Hall, and has also been shared with all new and existing residents at Queensferry Heights and Rosebery Wynd.

The directory was funded by Cala Homes (East) as part of its Queensferry Community Pledge, an initiative launched in 2022 that goes above and beyond planning obligations by supporting local groups through donations, volunteering hours and providing educational resources about the homebuilding industry.

The homebuilder worked closely with the Queensferry & District Community Council (QDCC) to bring this to life for those living in the area.

Community representatives – including council members, local groups, Cala residents, and businesses – gathered at Cala’s Queensferry Heights development before joining councillors Lewis Younie and Norman Work at Port Edgar to celebrate the launch of the directory and be among the first to receive a copy.

The group also enjoyed part of the Heritage Trail, which is outlined in the book, ideal for those looking to learn more about the history of Queensferry or for those who have just moved to the area and area looking to explore.

Keith Giblett, Chairperson of the Queensferry and District Community Council (QDCC), added: “This directory is a real celebration of spirit of the Queensferry community. It’s been shaped by local voices, for local people, whether you’re new to the area or have called it home for years.

“Projects like this remind us just how much we have to be proud of here.

“We’ve been fortunate to work alongside Cala Homes through their Community Pledge, and their support has been invaluable in bringing this idea to life.

“It’s a great example of what can be achieved when the community comes together and we’re excited to continue working in partnership with them as the Pledge activity continues to roll out.”

Elaine Carrigan, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “We’re proud that, through our Community Pledge, we’ve been able to work alongside the people of Queensferry to bring this to fruition.

“This will be such a useful resource for everyone in the area – whether you live here or are just visiting – helping people find great places, businesses and local treasures.

“For us, it’s all about supporting the community and celebrating everything that makes this town so special, and making sure it continues to thrive for years to come.”

Simon Round, General Manager at Outboard by Scotts – which is one of the businesses listed within the directory – added: “This new directory is a fantastic asset for local businesses, giving us the chance to reach more people and showcase everything South Queensferry has to offer.

“We’re really proud to be part of something that shines a spotlight on the town’s thriving business scene and helps encourage more people to shop, eat and spend time locally.”

The launch comes as applications for this year’s QDCC and Cala Community Chest open, with local groups invited to apply for up to £1,000 of funding for projects.

The scheme, which will see a total £5,000 distributed to local organisations this year alone, aims to support the diverse range of voluntary groups that exist within the town, as well as cultural, environmental and sports clubs.

Applications are open now, with groups able to apply to the grant scheme before the deadline on Friday 3 October 2025.

To apply for a funding grant, visit the application form link on the QDCC website.

Applications for South Queensferry ‘Community Chest’ funding grant for local groups set to open

The initiative, which is being run by Queensferry and District Community Council and supported by homebuilder Cala Homes, will open to applications on Friday 1 November

Groups in South Queensferry have the opportunity to apply for up to £1000 of funding for local projects, thanks to a new initiative between Queensferry & District Community Council (QDCC) and Cala Homes (East). 

The ‘QDCC & Cala Community Chest’ scheme will see a total of £5,000 distributed to local organisations in 2025. The funds will be provided by the local homebuilder and forms a key part of its Community Pledge for the South Queensferry area.

The joint Community Chest initiative aims to support a diverse range of voluntary groups that exist within the town, as well as cultural, environmental and sports clubs.

Applications open on Friday 1 November 2024 at 7am, with groups able to apply to the grant scheme before the deadline on Tuesday 31 December 2024.

A panel comprising QDCC & Cala representatives will formally review all applications in January 2025 and will announce successful recipients of the funding at the end of January.

Keith Giblett, chairperson of South Queensferry and District Community Council, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Cala Homes (East) once again to offer this fantastic opportunity for local groups.

“The Community Council and Cala have worked closely together for a number of years, and this ongoing collaboration has already brought significant benefits to South Queensferry.

“We are excited to continue building on this strong relationship, which reflects our shared commitment to supporting local projects and enhancing the wellbeing of our community.

“We encourage as many groups as possible to apply and look forward to seeing the range of projects that come forward, all of which will contribute to the vibrancy and wellbeing of our town.”

Elaine Doyle, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with Queensferry & District Community Council on this Community Chest to help voluntary groups in the area thrive.

“This project forms a key part of our Community Pledge for the area, which is designed to bring measurable and meaningful benefit to the town and the people living in it.

“Collaborating with communities on initiatives that will really make a difference helps us forge even stronger connections to the places in which we are building homes, and we are excited to be continuing our close work with QDCC.

“We are looking forward to learning about the groups which will benefit from this additional funding and watch them make a real difference to the lives of the people living in the town.”

To apply for a funding grant, visit the application form link on the QDCC website: https://www.queensferrycommunitycouncil.co.uk/qdcc-cala-community-chest/

To learn more about Queensferry and District Community Council, visit: https://www.queensferrycommunitycouncil.co.uk/

Cala Homes (East) has two flagship developments in South Queensferry – Queensferry Heights and the recently launched Rosebery Wynd – presenting an impressive mix of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses as well as one-, two- and three- bedroom apartments.

Meanwhile, a brand-new show apartment plus two showhomes recently opened their doors at Rosebery Wynd.

To find out more information, visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/rosebery-wynd-south-queensferry/

To learn more about the range of community support initiatives announced for the South Queensferry area of Fife as part of the Community Pledge programme, and to explore Cala’s developments within South Queensferry, visit: 

www.cala.co.uk/southqueensferry

Community support as CALA subits application for expansion of Queensferry community

A DETAILED masterplan for a major mixed-use development between the approaches for both of the Forth road crossings has been submitted.

CALA Homes (East) will lodge proposals for 980 homes, a new primary school, as well as provision for a care home, foodstore, drive-thru restaurants and petrol station, south of Builyeon Road on the southern edge of Queensferry.

The designs have been heavily shaped following engagement from the local community, spearheaded by the Queensferry District Community Council (QDCC) and including a well-attended online consultation event in October 2020.

Identified in the Local Development Plan, the development received Planning Permission in Principle on 15th June 2021. The approval is conditional upon a new Masterplan, and the CALA submission provides the additional details required for full planning approval.

In addition, CALA has submitted two further proposals, including new commercial and retail sites, as well as a care home.

Derek Lawson, Strategic Land Director with CALA Homes (East), said: “We fully recognise that this is a significant expansion of the Queensferry community – and one that has been on the cards for many years.

“With that in mind, the community and in particular the QDCC has been heavily involved throughout the planning and design process. This has helped us to shape and adapt proposals for a mixed use development appropriate to the location of the site within Queensferry.”

Keith Giblett, Chair of Queensferry and District Community Council, said: “We were originally critical of the previous masterplan for the site led by the former landowners. However, since CALA became involved we have seen positive progress, as they have listened to local opinion and taken this on board.

“If the plans are approved, we expect CALA to continue working with the community to ensure that the benefits of development are maximised locally.

“The Builyeon Road site is the culmination of sizeable housing allocated to Queensferry by City of Edinburgh Council, and we look forward to receiving clarification from the Council on how the sizeable financial contributions obtained from the various developments will be spent in our community, providing much needed improvements both diligently and timely such that the community can see the immediate benefits.”

Total section 75 (planning gain) contributions for the Builyeon Road site will exceed £11 million – which in addition to the delivery of a new primary school and local transportation improvements, sees significant contributions put towards other education provision and healthcare within Queensferry.

For more information on the plans at Builyeon Road, please visit: 

www.cala-builyeonroad.co.uk.