Highland Council inviting comment on new planning strategy

Highland: The Highland Council is working on a new planning document. They want to hear from the public about it. This document will guide future planning applications in the area.

The Highland Local Development Plan will help shape development and investment. Three new documents have been released to gather public input on this plan.

Ken Gowans, the economy and infrastructure chair, said they are looking for new development site suggestions. This is a key part of the consultation process. They especially want feedback from landowners, developers, and communities with land or building opportunities.

To be considered, suggested sites must include enough supporting evidence. The council will also explore options for Masterplan Consent Areas.

Councillor Gowans emphasized the importance of public input. They want to know if they’ve missed anything in their evidence collection. The revised planning system in Scotland requires councils to assess their evidence before creating a plan.

The Evidence Papers are now available for public comment. They are also sharing their 2025 Development Plans Newsletter, which details how and when they will engage with the community.

The council aims to create a collaborative Local Development Plan. They encourage everyone to share their thoughts on the issues facing Highland communities. This will help them develop a plan that reflects local priorities.

Feedback from this consultation will contribute to an ‘Evidence Report’. This report will be reviewed independently in 2025 before drafting the final plan.

To participate, visit www.highland.gov.uk/hldp.

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