Final Chance to Shape Building Blueprint for West Highland and Islands Plan
The West Highland and Islands Local Plan - The Highland Council’s principal policy document for deciding on planning applications in Skye and Lochalsh and Lochaber – is published on Friday (21 December) and the public have 12 weeks in which to object or comment.
The Plan, which affects both private investment decisions and public funding bids, merges previous work on the local plans for Skye and Lochalsh and Lochaber and embraces the public’s views to date.
The “Deposit Draft” is the last chance to object or comment on any part of the Plan. Views should be submitted in writing to The Highland Council, Planning & Development Service, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, before 14 March 2008. Post offices, libraries and Council service points will have deposit copies available to read.
Early in the New Year, a series of advertised local drop-in, public surgeries or exhibitions will be held to publicise and explain the Plan’s content and the process. More formal “public meeting” sessions will take place via the Ward Forum Meetings as follows: Lochalsh: 19 January, Kyle Village Hall; Lochaber: Fort William, 4 February; and Skye: 4 February, Tigh na Sgire Portree.
Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of the Planning Environment and Development Committee, said: “The West Highland and Islands Local Plan enables the Council to make significant progress with its Administration’s programme. However, to deliver the Plan will require many other organisations and individuals to play their part too.
“These policies and proposals follow consideration of the many comments received from the public and other interested parties and organisations on an earlier issues and options papers. We are grateful for that interest. We are committed to continuing to provide opportunities for participation and now invite the submission of representations on this Deposit Draft Local Plan.”
Close neighbours of major development sites will be informed individually. Anyone with any queries regarding Skye and Lochalsh part of the Plan should contact Tim Stott on 01463-702265 or regarding Lochaber, Neil Huggan on 01463-702291.