Protection measures for World Heritage Site in Highland
The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee has agreed to progress a proposed Article 4 Direction covering the full extent of the Flow Country World Heritage Site, strengthening planning controls to safeguard the site’s internationally recognised environmental value.
Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “The Flow Country World Heritage Site is of international importance, and it is essential that we have the appropriate planning controls in place to protect its unique environmental qualities. The Committee’s decision ensures a consistent and robust approach across the whole site, allowing any development proposals to be carefully assessed in the context of safeguarding its Outstanding Universal Value.”
The Committee agreed that the Direction should apply to the entire World Heritage Site boundary. This approach reflects the need for consistent protection of the site’s Outstanding Universal Value, including its blanket bog landscape, integrity and ecological significance, beyond the scope of existing statutory designations.
Members approved the preparation and submission of the necessary legal documentation to Scottish Ministers, including a statement of reasons for the Direction. The proposal will remove a defined range of permitted development rights across the World Heritage Site, meaning that specified types of development will require planning permission to allow for appropriate assessment of potential impacts.
Subject to approval by Scottish Ministers, the Council will proceed with the statutory process to bring the Direction into force, including publication of formal notice and making the documentation available for public inspection.