Latest update – report to council meeting on 12 December
The following links are to information referred to in the Highland Investment Plan – Progress Update report.
View Dingwall place based report
Highland investment plan
In May 2024, Highland Council agreed a new approach to develop sustainable local services and communities for the future. The Highland Investment Plan sets out a plan for development of communities across Highland, with over £1bn of capital investment in local service provision, including schools and roads, over the first 10 years.
A new generation of community facilities is envisioned for the Highlands, with Points of Delivery (PODs) seeing a range of public services brought together in a single location.
PODs can take a range of forms depending on specific needs and opportunities but could include spaces for education services being provided directly alongside health, leisure, childcare and other public support.
Services and facilities offered
Education
- early learning and childcare
- primary and/or secondary education
- ASN (additional support needs) provision
Sport, culture and leisure
- libraries
- leisure facilities
- sports facilities
- museums & galleries
Council services
- offices
- service points
- depots
- EV charging points
- toilets
- parking
Partner services
- employability & business support
- NHS outreach
- third sector facilities
- emergency services
- government agencies
- social enterprise
Other community services
- community centres and social spaces
- community cafés
- digital access points
- retail space for private operators
As PODs are highly adaptable to the needs and circumstances of individual communities, it is envisaged that there are opportunities to create localised services using this model right across the Highlands.
Work has already been done to consider the different buildings, land and services provided, along with where the need for new facilities might be and the opportunities to deliver this. This is taking a place planning approach.
Place-based developments for Dingwall
One of the first locations for this new approach is Dingwall and Seaforth. Work has already been done to consider the different buildings, land and services provided in Dingwall along with where the need for new facilities might be and the opportunities to deliver this.
The voices of local people have been heard through work about how people access and use different facilities and also through developing the area place plan and through specific engagement events in the local community. This has assisted in shaping the potential opportunities for going forward.
- deliver improved transport infrastructure including the Kinnardie Link Road and the completion of the link between St Andrews Road and Chestnut Road
- improvement of active travel routes in the town and intra-settlement links between Dingwall and Evanton and the Peffery Way to Strathpeffer
- provide additional car-parking and drop-off points at Dingwall Primary School
- protect and enhance the conservation area and continue with the improvement of historic buildings on the High Street
- safeguard and enhance blue and green networks especially along the River Peffery
- potential for a new community woodland at Knockbain Farm