Designing for Sustainability in the Highlands (2006) is a guidance note produced by the Council to support the preparation of a Sustainable Design Statement (SDS) by those involved in applying for planning permission. The guidance can be downloaded in pdf format from the following link:
Alternatively, you can obtain this pdf on CD by contacting Brian MacKenzie, Telephone 01463 702276 / Email: brian.mackenzie@highland.gov.uk
All new Local Plans for the Highlands place a requirement on planning applicants to demonstrate by means of an SDS that their proposals take account of sustainable design practice. It is the Council’s intention that these statements will be used as a planning tool throughout the Highland Area, following an initial pilot exercise in Ross and Cromarty.
In introducing the SDS requirement the Council’s primary focus will be to ensure that planning applicants reap the benefits of sustainable design, while minimising the extra effort involved in preparing a planning application.
The overall framework and content of this guidance was prepared for The Highland Council by Thirdwave Scotland Ltd, who also supplied much of the text. It was developed in consultation with the public, stakeholders from the construction industry and partner agencies operating within the Highlands, whose contributions were very welcome and useful. The public consultation took place over a fourteen week period ending on 11 March 2005. A revised draft of the guidance, taking account of the outcome of this consultation, was presented for approval to the Planning, Development Europe and Tourism (PDET) Committee on 16 November 2005. The Council’s response to the consultation was also approved at this meeting and the Consultation Report is available on the following link: