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.
Who prepares the Structure Plan?
The Planning Policy & Europe section of the Planning & Development Service. This team consists of Planners specialising in the various aspects covered by the plan (e.g. natural resources, housing, transport etc) and a number of technicians who assist with analysis and publishing.
How is the Structure Plan prepared?
The first step is to identify the key issues which need to be addressed. This requires a good knowledge and understanding of how and why the Highlands are changing and what the future might bring. It requires the collection and analysis of a wide range of information - on population, employment, housing, transport and the environment, to name but a few topics. Key concerns and aspirations are also identified by inviting the views of the public, the private sector and other public agencies.
Then the Council, with the assistance of key partners, prepares a draft plan. This takes the form of a broad strategy for the future of the area which addresses the issues, together with a set of policies and proposals to achieve the strategy. The plan is accompanied by a Report of Survey containing the information collected, its analysis and a discussion of the issues. Copies of the draft plan, which is very much a first attempt, are made widely available in Council offices and service points, libraries and in some rural post offices. Copies are made available for inspection or sale. Anyone can make comment on the draft.
The Council, after considering all the comments made, revises the plan and submits the Written Statement, the Report of Survey and a Consultation Report to the Minister for Transport and the Environment for approval. Again the plan is made widely available. Any representations by the public and others are made to, and considered by, the Minister. The Plan is currently at this stage, and a public consultation period is on-going until 28 April 2000.
Finally, the Minister for Transport and the Environment considers all relevant factors, including objections and representations. The Minister will then either approve the plan in whole, in part, or propose modifications or reservations on particular aspects of it. If modifications are proposed then these are then brought to the attention of the Council and other interested parties. They are also advertised for representations or objections from the public.
Once any representations to the modifications have been considered, the Minister will issue a final decision on the plan. The Council then arranges for the plan to be reproduced incorporating any necessary changes.
How can you become involved?
You can contact the Council’s Planning and Development Service at any time to discuss strategic issues. The preparation of a structure plan or the replacement of an existing structure plan or part of it, however, provides a number of specific opportunities to make your views known.
The structure plan is a major document in deciding planning applications. The policies in the plan will affect your life, where you live, work, shop and enjoy the countryside. Your involvement in the process is therefore important.
How to obtain further information
You can obtain further information on structure planning in the Highlands by contacting:
The Director
Planning and Development Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness IV3 5NX
Telephone 01463 702 271
E-mail: planning@highland.gov.uk
More detailed guidance on structure planning is contained in:
PLANNING ADVICE NOTE 37 (REVISED 1996).
(Issued by The Scottish Office Development Department.)
A copy can be obtained from:
THE PLANNING HELPLINE: 0345 741 741 (Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm, ask for Planning Helpline, calls charged at local rate). You can also telephone, fax or write to Lynn Jameson, SEDD Planning Services, 2H Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ. Tel: 0131 244 7538 (fax 7555).
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