Putting Community in the Driving Seat

A key priority that has emerged from our community over the years, is the need for investment in existing community facilities. We are unwavering in our commitment to empower residents of Dalgety Bay to steer the direction of future amenities within our town centre.  By fostering engagement and dialogue, we will continue to strive to become the catalyst for identifying community-driven priorities and taking them towards the development of a revitalised town centre and accompanying civic spaces which everyone can be proud of.

The community hub project aims to take a holistic approach to achieve the following:

• Modern and forward-looking facilities that stand the test of time, catering to the diverse needs of our community for generations.
• Facilities which are multi-functional and intergenerational, fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for everyone.
• Community-led developments that ultimately result in community ownership, ensuring a sense of ownership and pride among residents.
• Facilities which will bridge the gaps across age groups, offering improved amenities for toddlers, youth, families, and older individuals at the heart of our community.
• Reducing concerns about anti-social behaviour, recognising that adequate facilities for young people play a crucial role.
• Addressing the growing concern of social isolation among the elderly, fostering a sense of connection, and belonging.
• Creating spaces that bring people together, providing a backdrop for diverse community events and interactions.

A Community-Driven Concept: Our Ambitious Plan

We are still in the early stages of design for the project but based on engagement undertaken so far, our initial concept is one of a dynamic community hub which consists of four interconnected hubs:

1. Social Hub: A space designed to facilitate connections and enjoyment, with a vibrant community café at its heart.
2. Interest Hub: A space designed to unite individuals around shared interests, be it health, well-being, skills, training, hobbies, or local heritage.
3. Services Hub: A space that enables access to essential local services and advice, promoting convenience and support.
4. Enterprise Hub: A contemporary setting that offers working and meeting spaces, providing a platform for local businesses to thrive.

But what does this all mean?  For us, the community hub project is built around a blueprint of “One Door, Many Possibilities”.  As the project develops and we work with the community to develop a hub that truly meets their needs, we envisage the blueprint to encompass a range of versatile spaces including:

• Multi-sized meeting rooms with community café
• Fully equipped kitchen and catering facilities
• Office and workspace provisions together with IT support resources
• Multi-purpose performing arts hall
• Space for health, well-being, and elderly activities
• Facilities for youth engagement and community outreach services
• Conference/training facilities
• Dalgety Heritage Centre
• Outdoor spaces for communal use

To make the hub become a reality, we are committed to working towards the following project deliverables.

• Construction of a new multi-service, multi-purpose integrated community facility with a distinct and captivating architectural landmark that inspires community pride.
• A modern, contemporary building spanning approximately 850 square meters with thoughtful space optimisation and car parking arrangements.
• Orientation maximising public space which overlooks the town centre green space and makes abundant use of glass and integrates well with the outdoors area.
• Incorporation of high sustainability and environmental standards going beyond current building standards, accessibility, utilities, and more.

Harmonious Landscape Integration

We are incredibly lucky to be custodians of the community land between the existing community centre and Louie Browns.  Our project will ensure that we maximise this and create a civic space which will:

• Evoke a civic square ambiance.
• Seamlessly integrate with neighbouring building.
• Serve as a venue for outdoor events.
• Offer spaces for reflection and relaxation.
• Blend harmoniously with the hub’s design and purpose.

Progress Towards Realising our Vision 

To ensure that the hub meets the expectations and needs of the community, we have conducted wide ranging and comprehensive engagement with residents across our town.  We started this right at the beginning of the Trust’s journey to find out more generally what facilities residents want to see the Trust work on delivering.  Members of the community made it clear right from the start that investment was needed in community facilities in our town. We have continued this conversation all the way through the development of our plans for a new community hub.  Most recently, with the help of an independent third party, we conducted a community survey which received responses representing the views of 689 residents.  This showed clear and overwhelming support for the new community hub.

In March 2023, we were awarded funding to conduct a full feasibility study for the new hub.  This has allowed us to work with a design team headed by Lee Boyd Architects to produce our first real architectural concepts for the new hub. In January 2024 we published the initial architectural concept designs for the proposed new hub. 

We have continued to work on these designs based on community feedback and in August 2025 following further community engagement, we were thrilled to be able to submit our Planning Application for the new hub to Fife Council. Follow this link to view the full Planning Application on the Council’s Planning Portal. You can see the latest design renders for the hub and civic space which formed the basis of our Planning Application here.

On 12th December 2025 we received the fantastic news that we had been granted full planning permission for our new hub.  This major milestone is a testament to the quality of the work we have completed in putting forward a compelling case to the planners, backed by strong community support and an outstanding design concept. 

It has taken 12 months of sustained effort alongside our Architects and design team to reach this point, and we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved.  Of course, none of this work would have been possible without the generous £120,000 award from Fife Council, allocated from the £2 million of capital funding previously set aside for the project. We have used this funding carefully and strategically, working closely with our design team to maximise its impact.

In March 2026 we were thrilled to receive an award of £1.5 million towards the hub from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF). This is a hugely significant moment for Dalgety Bay and a powerful endorsement of what can be achieved through strong collaboration.  The funding proposal was shaped through close partnership with Fife Council and enriched with valuable input from our local community.  The care, energy, and shared ambition invested in the project have helped build a vision that not only reflects the needs and aspirations of our community but has now also been recognised at national level.  This is a true testament to what can be achieved when people come together with a strong common purpose.

What’s next?

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, we plan to move into the next exciting phase of the project by commencing detailed engineering design for the new hub. This work will underpin a subsequent application for a Building Warrant and bring the development another step closer to delivery.

Alongside this, we will intensify our efforts to secure further funding for the project. Having full planning consent in place and RCGF funding secured significantly strengthens our credibility with potential funders and puts us in a much stronger position as we move forward.

We also intend to begin discussions with the Council regarding the transfer of ownership of the existing community centre, an important step in preparing for redevelopment. Throughout all of this, we remain committed to engaging with the community—sharing updates, celebrating progress, and ensuring everyone is kept informed as this exciting new development continues to take shape.

For further information on this project please contact secretary@dalgetycommunitytrust.co.uk and we will get back to you.