Centring on their West Craigs development, the initiative features a bespoke package of activities designed to address the needs of the local area in a meaningful and measurable way.

Cala’s Community Pledge goes above and beyond planning obligations, in fact it’s an evolution of work Cala has been doing for many years within the communities in which they build, ensuring that they support the local areas and people who live there.

The West Craigs Community Pledge is the fourth to launch in the east of Scotland and follows the announcement of similar Community Pledge projects in Linlithgow, South Queensferry and the village of Aberdour in Fife, with more in the pipeline.

However, it is the first Community Pledge to be launched in Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh.

The West Craigs Community Pledge includes (amongst other initiatives to come over the next five years):

• Donations of requested essential items to the Corstorphine Christmas Support Project, coordinated by West Edinburgh Community Support Group, which supported 105 local families at Christmas in 2023. In addition, Cala assisted with van hire for completing the deliveries and five Cala staff members also got involved and volunteered to help the charity with the sorting, packing and delivering.
• A donation of £6,000 to be made to Cramond & Barnton Community Council/ the City of Edinburgh Council to assist with the upgrading of a new entrance, link paths and visitor information at the nearby 80-acre Cammo Estate Nature Reserve.
• A donation of 48 free-entry Edinburgh Zoo passes to the children of Jigsaw Nursery to allow the children and their families to visit the zoo in latter 2023 prior to the pandas leaving. This allows the children to learn about a variety of animals at this local family attraction, while also supporting the local Royal Zoological Society for Scotland (RZSS) charity in doing so.
• Land to Life, an educational initiative designed to bring the housebuilding industry to life for school pupils.
• Stay Safe, Stay Away, which aims to educate young children about the dangers of playing on building sites.

The Pledge also includes Cala’s Showhome of Support initiative, where local businesses are given a platform to promote their wares within the housebuilder’s showhomes at West Craigs. A number of local businesses have been spotlighted in the development’s four-bedroom Barrie showhome, including Six Acres, Ritchie Collins Gallery, The Refillery, Edinburgh Skincare, The Botanical Candle Maker and Edinburgh Mercantile.

Claire McLoughlin, co-founder at Six Acres Home & Lifestyle, said: “We were delighted when we were approached by Cala to be part of their Showhome of Support at West Craigs.

“It’s a great local initiative and a wonderful way to introduce people moving into the area to Edinburgh’s wide range of local businesses.

“It also positions our brand within the exact market we want to be in front of. Now more than ever, smaller retailers need the support of the communities they operate in. To be endorsed by a homebuilder like Cala instils confidence in our brand and encourages people to explore their local high street.

“It’s been really hard for local businesses post-pandemic and we are so grateful for this opportunity.”

Kim Newbigging, Regional Sales Manager for Cala Homes (East) said: “We are proud to launch our West Craigs Community Pledge, which we’re confident will bring real, positive benefit to people living in West Edinburgh.

“We are thrilled to be able to engage with community groups, schools and local businesses through this initiative.

“Collaborating with communities really makes a difference and it’s something we really value. We are excited to provide further updates on the fantastic programme of support we have planned for West Edinburgh.”