Views sought on ­­Highland Planning Policies through new consultation portal

28th September 2015

Consultations commence on a review of the Highland-Wide Local Development Plan, Onshore Wind Energy Guidance and the Local Housing Strategy.

The Highland Council has today launched three online consultations on planning and housing issues across the area, including a review of its main planning policy document the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

The Highland-wide Local Development Plan Main Issues Report seeks people's views on updating the Highland Council's main policies for determining planning applications and shaping the future of the Highland area. The Main Issues Report, which was published today for a 12 week public consultation running until 18th December, sets out issues and options for updating a broad range of planning policies, and an updated vision and spatial strategy for Highland. The strategy includes focussing development on existing settlements, support rural businesses and communities, and an emphasis on design and transport issues. The document is structured around four key outcomes that show how the plan could help deliver community planning priorities.

At the same time the Council is seeking views on two other documents, the draft Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance and the Local Housing Strategy. The draft Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance sets out suggested criteria for assessing proposals for wind energy development. This draft follows consultation carried out in spring 2015 on the issues for review of our current guidance, such as impact on communities, natural heritage and cumulative impacts. The Highland Housing Strategy will inform how the Highland Council and others tackle housing issues across different sectors, and how and where to direct investment in housing and related services.

The public consultation on these documents runs from 25 September to 18 December 2015. The three documents are being published through a new consultation portal consult.highland.gov.uk which the Council has launched to make it easy to read and comment on planning consultation documents. Users simply need to create an account which can be used for these and any future consultations on the Council's development plans.

As part of the consultation a series of public events are being held across Highland to raise awareness and give people a chance to discuss any issues with staff. Each event listed below includes a drop-in session between 2pm and 5.30pm, followed by a roundtable discussion workshop which starts at 6.30pm.

FORT WILLIAM
Wed 30 Sept
2pm - 5.30pm
Fort William Library, High Street, PH33 6EU
6.30pm
Highland Council Offices, Lochaber House, High Street, PH33 6EL

PORTREE
Mon 5 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Council Offices, Tigh na Sgire, Park Lane, IV51 9GP
6.30pm

NAIRN
Wed 7 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
The Court House, High Street, IV12 4AU
6.30pm
GAIRLOCH

Mon 26 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
The Gale Centre, IV21 2BH
6.30pm
Gairloch Community Hall, Achtercairn, IV21 2BP

DORNOCH
Wed 28 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Dornoch Social Club, School Hill, IV25 3PF
6.30pm

WICK
Mon 2 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
New Council Offices, Caithness House, Market Place, KW1 4AB
6.30pm
Town Hall, Bridge Street, KW1 5NS

KINLOCHBERVIE
Tue 3 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Village Hall, Manse Road, IV27 4RG
6.30pm

INVERNESS
Mon 9 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Town House, Bridge Street, IV1 1JJ
6.30pm

DINGWALL
Wed 11 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Town Hall, Church Street, IV15 9SB
6.30pm
Council Offices, Council Chamber, High Street, IV15 9QN