A NEW plan which will shape the future of the Inverness area for the next ten years has come back from the Scottish government with recommendations for key developments.
Highland Council can now move forward towards adoption of the plan.
Some of the headline conclusions and recommendations for the Highland-wide Local Development Plan include:
>Support for the development of the A96 growth corridor between Inverness and Nairn including developments at Tornagrain, Beechwood Campus, East Inverness and Nairn
>Removal of a residential expansion at Culloden Moor
>Support for population projections and the housing land supply needed in the Highlands, which are deemed reasonable and in line with Scottish Government policy and guidance
>Backing for developments at key sites in Ross-shire and Caithness, including Nigg, and John O’ Groats
The plan was examined by the government's directorate for planning and environmental appeals.
The unresolved issues from the public, community groups and the development industry have now been considered by the reporters, who have, where necessary, made a series of recommendations as to how the local authority should change the plan.
The recommendations are binding on the council and the planning environment and development committee will consider them on 18th January.
Councillor Ian Ross, planning, environment and development committee chariman, said the council is the first in Scotland to have its new style local development plan examined and it was expected to be adopted by spring next year.
"It is pleasing that many of the key strands of the council’s development strategy have been supported by the reporters, including the critical role of Inverness and the A96 Corridor, and the opportunities across the Highlands in respect of renewable energy," he said.
More in tomorrow's Inverness Courier.
The report will be available to view in all Highland Libraries and Planning Offices soon.
Or on
http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/developmentplans/localplans/HWLDPExamination.htm.
