A housebuilder has unveiled plans for more than 200 new homes in a historic Scottish coastal town.

Cala said it is bringing forward a detailed planning application for “the creation of a vibrant new neighbourhood”.

The new homes are located in Bo’ness at Crawfield Road and the 38.3-acre site is allocated for residential use in under local authority guidelines, while also benefiting from planning permission in principle.  

Included in the proposals are 221 much-needed new homes, importantly including a mix of 188 private and 33 affordable homes for local people. A mix of Cala house types will feature, including a range of three to five-bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached homes.

Bespoke 2.5 storey homes, designed exclusively by Cala for its west region, will also be a welcome addition to the town, which has a history that dates to the Roman era.  

Homes will feature green energy features including an air or ground source heating network and electric vehicle charging points. Cala said it will also implement a range of features to enhance biodiversity across the site, including invertebrate bricks, bird and bat boxes, and planting.  

The development site “forms an extension of the existing Bo’ness community which offers an abundance of local amenities” including independent stores, cafes and restaurants. Leisure facilities including a community theatre and Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema – The Hippodrome – are also popular.  

Cala plans to enhance the existing community with attractive landscaping across the site, a new multi-use path connecting the nearby John Muir Way to Linlithgow Road, and a new retail facility on Crawfield Road.  

Proposals also include the installation of a recreational park along the southern edge of the site, incorporating paths, woodland and meadow habitats. 

Cala is targeting a planning submission to Falkirk Council by the end of this year.  

Michael Clements, land manager at Cala Homes (West), said: “Bo’ness is an attractive town where a continued demand for new homes presents Cala with a great opportunity. The range of house types and sizes responds to the varying needs of local people and importantly, the site is already allocated within the local development plan for residential use.  

“We have used sustainability to steer our vision, with all homes benefiting from green energy features. Equally, we have placed a real emphasis on improving the landscaping and biodiversity of the site and surrounding area which will create a welcoming environment for both residents and the wider community.”

Electric superhighway between Scotland and England approved

A new electric superhighway between Scotland and England has been awarded a £2 billion funding package.

The funding has been awarded to build a proposed new subsea and underground 196km cable which will help boost energy security, cut bills and hit Government green targets.

It is viewed by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) as an essential element in achieving the Government’s Clean Power 2030 ambition, with Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) able to transport homegrown wind generated electricity between Torness in East Lothian and Hawthorn Pit in County Durham.

AROUND THE GREENS

Historic Scottish golf club closes its waiting list amid 'unprecedented demand'

This article appears in Kristy Dorsey's Around The Greens

Golf has been played on the links at Dornoch in the county of Sutherland for more than 400 years, with the earliest written references dating to 1616. 

The site is currently a bustle of activity with a new clubhouse under construction and other major expansion plans. At the same time, members and guests come for around the globe to play the Championship and Struie courses.

Founded in 1877, with the Royal title bestowed in 1906, the club will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027 and will host the Curtis Cup the following year. Here, general manager Neil Hampton shares all about the considerable developments at Royal Dornoch.

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