Special Landscape Area citations
Special Landscape Areas (SLAs) are regionally valuable landscapes we aim to protect and enhance for everyone’s enjoyment.
They were previously known as Areas of Great Landscape Value in the Highland Structure Plan of 2001. In November 2009, the Council and Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned Horner and MacLennan, along with Landscape Architect Mike Wood, to produce citations for each SLA. Minor boundary adjustments were made to align with the National Scenic Area boundary, but otherwise, the boundaries remained as defined in the Structure Plan or subsequent Local Plans. These citations help us assess the potential impact of proposed development on the SLA’s special qualities by identifying key features and sensitivities.
The citations are available in the Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas. They were finalised by the Planning, Environment and Development Committee on 25 May 2011, following consultation from 24 September to 3 December 2010.
Since June 2011, boundary amendments have been considered within the framework of Area Local Development Plans. To date, amended boundaries have been finalised for the following SLAs:
- Oldshoremore, Cape Wrath and Durness
- Eriboll East and Whiten Head
- Farr Bay, Strathy and Portskerra
- Dunnet Head
These changes came into force with the adoption of the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan in August 2018. Additionally, boundary amendments for the Drynachan, Lochindorb and Dava Moors SLA were approved when the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan was adopted in July 2015.
Maps illustrating these boundary changes are included in the preliminary pages of the assessment document. In due course, the main report will be updated to reflect these amendments.
We are also considering boundary amendments within the West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan area.
If you require a hard copy of any citations, contact us.