Opportunity to shape the future planning of West Highland

A call for people’s suggestions of land use sites and ideas for inclusion within the forthcoming West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan is underway.   

The Call for Sites and Ideas runs until 27th March 2015 and covers Wester Ross, Lochalsh, Skye and Lochaber. This initial Plan stage provides a once-in-five-years opportunity for all members of the public, communities, developers and landowners to promote their suggestions rather than reacting to those of the Council or others.  

The Plan is a statutory document which affects the outcome of planning applications and influences public and private investment decisions so it’s worth everyone taking time to consider how it might affect them or fulfil their aspirations.  

Local residents and businesses are also being asked for their bigger ideas or vision for how they want their area to change over the next 10-20 years. At the smaller scale, the Council is open to suggestions on which land should be built on or protected in every town and larger village.  

Councillor Thomas Prag, Chair of The Highland Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee said: “Local communities know their area best and the Council wants to tap in to that knowledge and expertise. We want your ideas on the sites in your community that would be suitable for development and the areas that should be protected. We also want to know the top priorities for you, your community group or your business.”  

Anyone wishing to submit suggestions will need to do so by the deadline of 5pm on Friday 27th March 2015.  The quickest and easiest to make comments is via the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/whildp which also contains useful Plan information and advice on how to comment online. Anyone who isn’t online or has a more complex query can phone the Development Plans Team on 01349 886608 for alternative ways of commenting.  

Map of area