Putting Planning For The Future in the Picture
Young people from across the Highlands are being invited to photograph their communities as part of a new planning initiative. Images of what they like and don’t like about the places they live in, and what would make it a better place to live, as well as inspiration for ‘great places’ from beyond the Highlands, will help Council planners develop a Highland wide local development plan.
The ‘Keep us in the picture’ competition, organised by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service is to promote the new ‘Making Places - Highland development plan scheme’ which aims to actively include as wide a range of people as possible in planning for their future.
Chairman of the Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Drew Hendry said: “The Council sees the need for a better understanding and dialogue between planners and the public about what communities want for their environment. Who better to start with in this process of greater understanding than the young people who we hope will be living and working in the Highlands in twenty years time?”
Gillian Slider, Highland Youth convener, agreed. She said: “Young people have plenty of ideas about improving their environment, and I welcome ‘Keep us in the picture’ as an ideal way of getting young people interested in planning their community.”
Photographs can be of a street, a village or town, a play area, a derelict building or even a place or building which caught someone’s eye while on holiday. The top 2 entries in each category will each win £50 and the photographs used in the Highland wide development plan. Winning entries will also be displayed on the Highland Council website.
The ‘Making Places’ development plan scheme, is a new project for creating local development plans. It will provide jargon free information about the plan making process, invite ideas to be included into the plan, as well as making sure that people know what is happening with the plan and how and when they can get involved.
Acting Director of Planning and Development, Richard Hartland explained: “The Highland wide plan will provide an overview of the Highlands, including changing needs for houses and changes to the economy, and provide a broad indication of future development for the Highlands. I would encourage anyone who has ideas and views on what you think the Highlands should offer its people and communities in the future, and where new development should be built, to get involved.”
Details of the competition and Development plan scheme can be found on the Council’s website http://www.highland.gov.uk/developmentplans.htm or by visiting your local council service point, planning office, library, post office or leisure centre.