Local Support for Housebuilder’s Proposal

Renowned house builder CALA Homes has revealed it intends to seek planning permission for approximately 100 new family homes in Cupar.

The outline proposals have already won backing from the Community Council for the Ferryfield site at Brighton Road, which is currently farm land close to Bell Baxter High School in the Fife town.

CALA Homes wants to see the land zoned for housebuilding and hopes planners will see merit in supporting a site which could quickly deliver much-needed new family housing to the town, which has seen little new development in the last decade.

Part of the reason for the 10-year freeze has been the slow progress of the Cupar North blueprint, first mooted in 2005. That envisions 1480 new homes, a retail park, school and other facilities on a 115 hectare site aimed at breathing new life into Cupar.

It is hoped it would be delivered in phases over 10-15 years, however it has barely progressed beyond the drawing board, while almost all other development has been put on hold.

Canon Pat McInally, Chair of the Cupar Community Council voiced his support for the plans at Ferryfield and is keen to see new development across the town.

He added: “Cupar needs development and we are still unsure of the timescales for new homes being delivered at Cupar North.

“The site at Ferryfield is ideal for much needed new homes in the short-term, including around 25 affordable homes. It would be an obvious extension to the town, blending seamlessly with the existing homes at Millfield and Scotstarvit View.”

Derek Lawson, Strategic Land Director with CALA Homes (East), echoed the Canon’s sentiments. He believes there is a need for smaller developments to be delivered while the major plans for the north of the town is considered.

He added: “The Cupar North plans are still a very long way from being realised and we strongly believe that a mix of smaller developments around the town are needed to complement those longer-term ambitions.

“These would alleviate the stagnation in the housing market in Cupar after a decade without development, allowing the town to grow in small ways while the Cupar North proposals are brought forward.

“Our proposals are practical, deliverable quickly and would address a strong and unmet demand for high quality new housing in Cupar, while also bringing a number of other benefits to the town, including increasing the population which would be likely to support local businesses.

“We would like to develop a range and choice of homes on the site to suit the market, along with an element of affordable housing, which could include homes for rent or for sale at discounted prices.

“Of course, this is the very earliest stages and would be subject to the due and proper planning process, which would include extensive consultation with the local community to help shape our proposals.”

The long-term blueprint for Cupar and the surrounding area is included in the proposed Local Development Plan, drawn up by Fife Council. That is now being assessed by the Scottish Government and CALA Homes is making the case for the Ferryfield site to be included in it.

In the meantime the firm is submitting a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to Fife Council. That is the first step in the process, advising planning officials that CALA has an interest in developing a site.

CALA Homes, which has its national headquarters in Edinburgh, was recently voted Scotland’s Large Business of the Year,