Local living in Highland
Local living aims to give people the chance to meet most of their daily needs within a reasonable distance from home.
We have developed a local living tool to show how well places in Highland meet these principles. The tool plots the location of services such as:
- shops
- parks
- leisure facilities
- learning facilities
It also shows how accessible these services are within a ten-minute walk.
Which places are included
The tool covers Highland’s largest settlements that have boundaries in our current area Local Development Plans (LDPs). It also includes some smaller settlements called “growing settlements” in our LDPs. We are considering how the tool could be used for more rural areas.
Why this matters
The tool is an important part of the evidence base for the future Highland Local Development Plan. It is also a material consideration when planning applications are decided.
How the tool was developed
We carried out a public consultation in summer 2024. The tool was updated in November 2024 to reflect the consultation outcomes.
Read the notes on the development of the tool
Contact the Development Plans Team if any assistance is required.