Structure Plan

Essentially it is a vision of how the Highlands should develop in very broad terms over a period of 10 years and beyond. It sets out the strategic framework for the use of land and shows the scale and direction of development required to meet the needs of the region for jobs, houses and services in a manner that safeguards and enhances the environment. It incorporates changing circumstances and should reflect the current and future interests of the community.

A structure plan contains:

• An indication of how international and national obligations affect the area;
• an overall long term development strategy;
• a complementary strategic approach to safeguarding and enhancing the environment;
• policies and proposals that provide a sound basis for determining planning applications and 
• guidance for the preparation of local plans which show specific allocations of land.

For further details view the documents "In This Section."