A City of Edinburgh Council planning subcommittee is due to consider proposals for an expansion to South Queensferry this week – marking a milestone in a planning process that has spanned almost 10 years.
Located south of Builyeon Road and between approaches for the Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge, the proposals cover a site that includes 980 homes, a new primary school, provision for a care home, and commercial units including a foodstore, drive-thru restaurants and fuel station.
The masterplan for the overarching 44 hectare development received outline Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) in June 2021.
The meeting on February 9 is expected to see councillors determine two further applications related to the site; the more detailed (AMSC) application for the Masterplan, as well as the outline PPP application for the commercial element to the development.
A third application – a PPP concerning the care home site – is being considered separately by planning officials.
Should approval be received, Cala will begin work on site in the coming months with the aim of delivering the main infrastructure alongside an earthworks programme to establish the new school site for handover to the council later this year.
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 a long time. The wider community, in particular the Queensferry & District Community Council, had concerns over the previous Masterplan which was proposed prior to Cala’s involvement.
“Cala became involved in the project in 2019, and undertook a wide ranging review which has helped to inform the revised proposals which now include commercial and retail uses to promote a mixed community.”
The housebuilder add the designs have been ‘heavily shaped’ following engagement with the local community, spearheaded by the Queensferry District Community Council (QDCC) including an online consultation event in October 2020.
Total section 75 (planning gain) contributions for the Builyeon Road site will exceed £11 million.
Keith Giblett, chair of Queensferry and District Community Council, added, “The Builyeon proposal is a major expansion of Queensferry, and one that has had a lengthy planning duration. Now that the notion of the Masterplan is set, we look to the council to clarify their investment timescales, namely primary schooling and local transport infrastructure upgrades that will inevitably be required.”
Subject to approval of the Masterplan, further applications are to be submitted on the detailed design of the homes, with the first properties expected to be occupied from spring next year.
