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The Council has issued the published version of the A96 Corridor Growth Development Framework, which was approved by the Planning Environment and Development Committee in September 2007. Covering all of the land eastwards from Inverness to the border with Moray and south to the B9006, the A96 Corridor has been identified in both the Highland Structure Plan and Inverness Local Plan as the preferred location for long-term development. It will now be taken forward within the context of the Local Development Plan.
The document is available via the link below:
The Post adoption SEA Statement is also being finalised and will be made available on this web page.
Background
The A96 Corridor covers all of the land between Inverness and the border with Moray and south to the B9006. The Inverness City–Region continues to be one of the fastest growing areas in Scotland. During the last 30 years the population has grown by almost 32,000. Over the same period, just over 20,000 houses have been built. Recent official Government figures show that in the year 2004-05, the Highland population increased by 2,250 persons.
The National Planning Framework for Scotland (2004) promotes the City-Region as one of the key development areas in Scotland over the next 20 years, specifically referring to potential within the A96 Corridor. Both the Highland Structure Plan and the Inverness Local Plan identify the Corridor as the preferred location for long-term development. In 2003, Scottish Ministers endorsed the City Partnership’s Vision of a further 30,000 people to be housed in the Corridor over the next 30 plus years.
In 2005, the Council considered the first phase of the A96 Corridor Masterplan and commissioned the following Stage 2 work:
- Infrastructure studies covering electricity supplies, water and sewerage network and transport assessments;
- Framework Plans for East Inverness, South Nairn and the corridor's countryside area;
- Implementation programme for future development; and
- an assessment of potential funding mechanisms, especially in relation to infrastructure provision.
Halcrow were appointed in April 2006 as lead consultant to carry out this work which is scheduled for completion in March 2007. The public were consulted during September 2006 on a range of options for Framework Plans covering the town expansion areas of Nairn and East Inverness, together with draft proposals for the wider countryside setting across the Corridor. Subsequent work has prepared a timetable for all developments and supporting infrastructure provision. This implementation programme also includes a protocol for developer financial contributions towards future provision of services and consider appropriate delivery mechanisms. These were the subject of a further public consultation, ending on 5th March 2007. Over 150 responses were received to this consultation, and the outcomes were reported to Committee on 14th March. The report is available at the link below:
At its meeting on 14th March 2007, the Coucil’s Planning, Development, Europe and Tourism Committee agreed:
- amendments to the draft A96 Corridor masterplan as recommended in the Consultations annex attached to the report. A concise Strategy document will now be issued as interim guidance pending (d) below.
- that priority development status is accorded to the proposed Inverness College/UHI Campus and associated amenity/sports provisions at Beechwood to enable implementation of this strategic project prior to 2011, having regard to policies 2.8(vii), 2.41(v) and 3.1 of the adopted Inverness Local Plan.
- a revised developer contributions protocol for the A96 Corridor to be applied as the interim framework for negotiation of essential S.75 infrastructure Agreements on qualifying sites within the Corridor pending (d) below.
- that the revised masterplan be fed into preparation of the strategic Highland Local Development Plan scheduled for later this year, subject to consideration of outstanding SEA consultation responses from the statutory agencies by the incoming Council. This will facilitate the early completion of statutory plan-making procedures including provision for any objections to be heard at an independent PLI.
If you would like any further information, please contact Malcolm Macleod on (01463) 702 506 or email to malcolm.macleod@highland.gov.uk.
A96 Implementation
Infrastructure Studies
SEA Documents
The Council intends to make as much information as possible on the project via this web page, so please come back in the future for updates.
Revised Developer Contributions Protocol - March 2007
Halcrow Group Limited
A96 Corridor Masterplan : Stage 2, Interim Report - Phase 4 - The Green Framework
January 2007
Halcrow Group Limited
A96 Corridor Masterplan : Stage 2, Interim Report - Phase 3 - Mixed Use Guidance
January 2007
Halcrow Group Limited
A96 Corridor Masterplan : Stage 2, Interim Report - Phase 2 - Assessment of Development Framework
Options
November 2006
Supporting Documentation:
Halcrow Group Limited
A96 Corridor Masterplan : Stage 2, Interim Report - Phase 1 - Options for Development and Green Frameworks
July 2006
Technical Appendices:
Dalcross (A96 Corridor), Smart Growth Masterplan, Phase 1 – Planning, Report, March 2005
Vision and Development Principles
Miscellaneous
Planning, Development, Europe & Tourism Committee:
15 November 2006