“Call for Sites” - communities urged to identify land for development

The Highland Council is asking local communities, landowners and developers to help it identify land in the Inner Moray Firth which should be built on and which should not.

This “Call for Sites” is the first step the Council is taking in producing a document (the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan), which along with the Highland wide Local Development Plan, will guide its decisions on planning applications.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, is urging local residents to get involved. ‘It is essential that this is a transparent process involving community interest from the start. We want communities to engage with us early before any decisions are taken. Everyone has a right to say what kind of place they want to live in.”

Councillor Ross also wishes people to think about the local implications of bigger issues. He added: “Although the new Plan will focus on which land in each town and village will be built on or protected, these decisions should be shaped by wider concerns and the need to address climate change; to use land more efficiently; to deliver affordable housing and make sure that enough land is made available in the right places to create employment.”

The new Plan will cover the City of Inverness and Provost Jimmy Gray is eager that local opinions are sought. He said: “The new plan aims to implement the City Vision and ensure that new building integrates with new transport improvements in and around the City. It is vital therefore that people give their views on how best to link transport and development issue.”’

The deadline for suggestions is the end of April 2011. They will then be assessed by the Council before being issued for further public consultation.

If anyone wishes to make a suggestion or wants to find out more they should read the Call for Sites Guide & Forms which are available via the Council’s web-site  Or you can telephone Tim Stott on 01463-702265 to obtain a copy of the Guide and Forms.