Development guidance - A96 corridor green network

This is the 1st area of the Green Network to be mapped and runs from Inverness to Nairn. 

The action programme.

There are 4 priorities for the A96 corridor:

Priority 1

To realise the potential of the Inverness to Nairn Coastal Trail, Landward Trail, north-south connections between the trails and a tourist trail. A long term aspiration of ours has been to connect Inverness and Nairn with a Coastal Trail. The development of the A96 Corridor is the perfect opportunity to develop this important strategic link.

Once developed it would form a key part of the A96 Corridor Green Network and provide a model for providing coastal trails in other areas of Highland. The success of a Coastal Trail would be closely linked to provision of other trails in the area including a “Landward Trail”, links between the landward and coastal trails and a “Tourist Trail”.

This project aims to connect our green places for leisure and recreation while giving people the opportunity to come into contact with the natural, built and cultural heritage of the area. It is about paths and trails that let us explore where we live, work or visit. We want to connect our communities, work and play spaces and move about on foot or bike travelling, exploring and enjoying ourselves.

Priority 2

To maintain and improve green network connections between habitats in areas for proposed development.

In areas where new developments are proposed they should be masterplanned taking due consideration of the habitats in the areas. The green network should be one of the first considerations when looking to develop a site and can help a development fit within its landscape.

There are a number of key habitats and habitat networks in the area. When masterplanning sites, habitats such as this can be easier to integrate into the development as they are easy to identify and while their extent does move over time this movement in extent is slow.

A number of protected species are widespread throughout the area, including great crested newt, badger, otter and bat species. The National Biodiversity Network's Gateway  is a useful source of species records. Further information about protected species including survey methodologies is available from Scottish Natural Heritage

Priority 3 

The aim is to identify positive land uses for important undeveloped wedges providing a setting and framework for settlements, and maintaining separation of existing settlements.

There are areas across the corridor which should be safeguarded from development. These areas can form part of important natural, built and cultural heritage features or can play an important role in the landscape of the area. In the area local development plans we will identify these areas as being key to the setting of a settlement. Subject to landowner agreement, we may also allocate areas of open countryside on the edge of settlements as amenity areas for informal recreation.  

Priority 4

it is important to consider the development of the green network as early as possible in the masterplanning process. To facilitate this, early and effective pre-application advice can identify the key elements of the green network which are relevant to a proposed development.

We recommend that all developers consult with us as early as possible to consider how a development in this area can meet the aims of the green network and actively contribute towards its consolidation.