Development Plan Policy Guidance

In March 2001, the Scottish Executive approved the Highland Structure Plan. The Plan now constitutes The Council’s strategic land use planning policy and Local Plans must generally conform with the Structure Plan. Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning Act requires that where, in making any determination under the Planning Acts regard is to be had to the development plan, the determination shall be made in accordance with the plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

This publication is founded upon the Structure Plan and provides more detailed guidance for Local Plans, development control, developers and the public on the interpretation of specific policies contained in the Plan. It must, however, be read in conjunction with the Structure Plan Written Statement and in particular with the General Strategic Policies (a full set of Policies, Proposals and Recommendations is given for reference in Appendix 1). Note should also be taken of other sections of these Guidelines. The diagramatic cross-referencing system at the start of each section highlights the other sections of particular relevance.