Deadline for public comment on Moray Firth Local Development plan document extended
The Highland Council is thanking the many that have already commented on the new Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan.
In response to several requests by community groups and others, it has decided to extend the deadline for views until 5pm on Friday 30 April.
Scott Dalgarno of The Highland Council’s Development Plans Team explains: "We recognise the pandemic’s impact on how and when people can comment and that an online only consultation has presented challenges for some.
"We are therefore allowing people more time to consider this important document and make their views known."
For those yet to read the initial consultative document which is called the Main Issues Report then it is best accessed online via www.highland.gov.uk/imf.
Those not online in anyway can find out more and lodge paper copy comment by phoning
The Report sets out possible ways of delivering more affordable housing, directing development to more sustainable places, better matching infrastructure network capacity and new development (for example schools), and making sure that larger developers address the need for self build and genuinely wheelchair liveable accommodation for the disabled and ageing population.
For example, the document suggests that within the City of Inverness that developers provide 35% not the current 25% of their sites for affordable housing. It also suggests think that a higher proportion of future building should happen in the biggest, best connected places and a lower proportion in the countryside and smallest villages.
The document further proposes that fewer but more viable sites are earmarked for future building and by viable it means economic for the builder to build but also for the public sector to support that new development with adequate roads, schools, refuse collection and alike.
These are the Council’s initial ideas but it’s asking what others think.