Highland locals to have their say on development plans for their area
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Highland Council is making it easier for the public to have a say on what developments happen where they live.
It has launched a web page about so-called local place plans.
The move will allow community-led groups to find useful guidance on preparing, submitting, and registering local place plans which the council, by law, would have to take into consideration.
The plans will provide an opportunity for communities to set out their vision and priorities for the future, particularly around the current and future use of land and buildings.
The Scottish Government is due to adopt and publish the National Planning Framework 4 in early 2023 and the local place plans is a new initiative that aims to involve the locals in what happens in their area.
The development plan for the Highlands contains regional and settlement strategies, including the identification of specific site allocations, and general policies which any planning application in the area will be assessed against.
The council’s economy and infrastructure committee chairman Ken Gowans said: “By introducing local place plans, communities will have the opportunity to play a proactive role in defining their future.
“Our new web page will provide a very helpful insight into the whole premise of the initiative and how communities can get involved.”
