Approval for significant programme of capital investment

The Highland Council’s Planning, Development & Infrastructure Committee has today (Wed 4 Nov) approved nearly £8 million of capital investment in Town and Countryside regeneration projects throughout Highland over the next nine years. The projects include upgrade of countryside assets, access to and within the countryside, quality public space enhancements, sense of place projects, town and village entrance environments, interpretation and visitor information.

Most significant among the capital allocations are £750,000 for Town & Countryside Regeneration Community Initiatives; £550,000 for Inverness Townscape Heritage; £530,000 for Storr Woodland on Skye; £505,000 for Coghill Footbridge, Wick; £475,000 for Highland Scenic Routes; £430,000 for Strathpeffer Spa Gardens; £425,000 for Chanonry Point, Fortrose; £361,000 for Wester Ross Visitor Hubs; £325,000 for Green Infrastructure; and £325,000 for Long Distance Routes.

Commenting on the programme of investment, Chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Audrey Sinclair said: “The projects approved for investment support delivery of a wide range of ‘Highland First’ priorities. Particularly welcome is the increasing emphasis on a pro-active approach to developing better ways to work with communities and the potential for delivery of significant benefits in remote rural locations. Proposals to capitalise on our superlative scenic heritage are welcome and, this package of projects supports our tourist industry right across Highland. I look forward to following the development of some exciting new initiatives in the coming years.”