The Highland Council have produced and published draft supplementary guidance on physical constraints to development across Highland which it intends to adopt as supplementary guidance to the forthcoming Highland wide Local Development Plan.
This guidance has been prepared to provide prospective developers with up to date mapping of physical constraints to development within Highland. In order to protect human health and safety, the guidance outlines that, where proposals are affected by any of the constraints, developers will be required to demonstrate compatibility with the constraint or propose appropriate mitigation measures. Physical constraints on development listed within the guidance include, for example, railway lines, major oil and gas pipelines and areas of excessive slope.
Consultation on the draft document closed on 15th July 2011, however you can still view it using the link below:
Physical Constraints Draft Supplementary Guidance (pdf, 3.8MB)
Following consultation a revised document will be reported to the Planning, Environment and Development Committee in September 2011. This will also be made available using the Online Local Development Plan system.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
In accordance with the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, a Screening Report was undertaken to assess whether the draft guidance would require a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This determined that, as the draft guidance is not likely to have significant environmental effects, an SEA will not be required. The determination notice can be viewed below:
The screening report and the responses that were received from Scottish Government and the consultation authorities (SEPA, SNH and Historic Scotland) can be viewed below:
Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA)
An EqIA Screening Report was also undertaken last year which found no adverse impacts on any group were anticipated as a result of the guidance. The screening report is available using the link below:
If you would like to discuss any of the information on this page please contact Gillian Webster on 01463 702264 or e-mail gillian.webster@highland.gov.uk
Development Plans
Highland Council - Planning and Development
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX