Highland Development Plans

30/04/2025

Natural Environment

How will we manage our natural environment and biodiversity, whilst safeguarding and making the best use of our resources and natural designated assets? Reminder: We are looking for evidence on these things – read our Natural Environment paper, a part of our consultation for the new Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP) and give your comments by 12 noon on the 2nd of May. Access the consultation here: https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kpse/event/9D376DAB-42E8-4722-9AB2-5C223E68317E/s17307125355476

Access the consultation here: https://buff.ly/xNaADjp

29/04/2025

Climate Change and Energy

How can we make climate-conscious planning decisions that meet national energy targets whilst securing benefits for Highland communities through a Community Wealth Building Strategy and a Social Value Charter for Renewables Investment?

Reminder: We are looking for evidence on these things – read our Climate Change and Energy paper, a part of our consultation for the new Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP) and give your comments by 12 noon on 2 May.

Access the consultation here: https://buff.ly/FDBCaxQ

28/04/2025

Isle of Skye and Raasay

The key characteristic of this area is the extent and quality of its natural and cultural heritage; as explored within the Area Profile this can serve as both an advantage and a disadvantage.

The total population of this area is 10,686 , 4.5% of Highlands total population . There are 5,255 occupied households and 45.8% of these are located in main settlement areas. Isle of Skye and Raasay returned a score of 2.7/5 from the place-standard consultation launched in 2024, the joint-lowest among sub-regional areas, with public transport being highlighted as the greatest issue along with traffic, housing, and active travel infrastructure.

A Local Living Tool also highlighted that residential properties within Isle of Skye and Raasay Settlement Development Areas and Growing Settlements averaged a total living score of 9.6/16 based off a set of tests that determine how efficiently a property is located to key services provisions. Portree was found to have the highest average residential score at 11.7, whilst Edinbane returned the lowest score at 5.6.

Additional data has been further articulated within the Area Profile. Access the consultation here:

https://buff.ly/FDBCaxQ

28/04/2025

What might travel look like in a future resilient Highland, and how could key services be accessed across our widely dispersed communities? Reminder: We are looking for evidence on these things – read our Transport and Connectivity paper, a part of our consultation for the new Highland Local Development Plan and give your comments by 12 noon on 2 May.

Access the consultation here: https://buff.ly/FDBCaxQ

28/04/2025

The City of Inverness Area is the most physically, environmentally, and economically diverse of all subregions in Highland, however the urban-rural disparity across the area creates challenges.

The total population of this area is 83,289, 35.4% of Highland’s total population. There are 39,104 occupied households and 89.7% of these are located in main settlement areas. Inverness and Area returned a score of 3/5 from the place-standard consultation launched in 2024, the joint second highest among sub-regional areas, with public transport being highlighted as the greatest issue.

A Local Living Tool also highlighted that residential properties within ‘Inverness and Area’ Settlement Development Areas and Growing Settlements averaged a total living score of 9.8/16 based off a set of tests that determine how efficiently a property is located to key services provisions. Inverness City was found to have the highest average residential score at 15.4, whilst Whitebridge returned the lowest score at 1.8.

Additional data has been further articulated within the Area Profile.

Access the consultation here: https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kpse/event/9D376DAB-42E8-4722-9AB2-5C223E68317E/s17307125355476

25/04/2025

Easter Ross benefits from its relative proximity to Inverness, taking advantages of its higher order facilities and employment opportunities, whilst also being located close to emerging employment opportunities connected with the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF ) project.

The total population of this area is 21,531 , 9.1% of Highlands total population. There are 10,053 occupied households and 77.5% of these are located in main settlement areas.

Easter Ross returned a score of 2.7/5 from the place-standard consultation launched in 2024, the joint-lowest among sub regional areas in Highland, with a range of services receiving poor feedback (

25/04/2025

Dingwall and Seaforth capitalises off its centralised location, close to the City of Inverness and reaping benefits from local employment opportunities and high order facilities, however challenges do exist and are covered throughout the Area Profile.

The total population of this area is 13,029, 5.5% of Highland’s total population. There are 6,074 occupied households and 89.3% of these are located in main settlement areas. Dingwall and Seaforth returned a score of 2.9/5 from the place-standard consultation launched in 2024, equivalent to the Highland average score with care and maintenance and ‘feeling listened to’ returning the lowest scores (

24/04/2025

The Black Isle occupies an important position on Highland’s East Coast, benefiting from many locational and natural resource advantages, however traditional coastal settlements are inadequately served by the A9 trunk road causing infrastructure networks to become disconnected.

The total population for this area is 10,517, 4.5% of Highlands total population. There are 4,743 households and 77.5% are within main settlements. The Black Isle returned a score of 3.2/5 from the place-standard consultation launched in 2024, the highest among sub-regional areas in Highland, with the highest criticism being towards public transport, traffic, and active travel infrastructure.

A Local Living Tool also highlighted that residential properties within Black Isle’s Settlement Development Areas and Growing Settlements averaged a total living score of 9.9/16 based off a set of tests that determine how efficiently a property is located to key services provisions. Cromarty was found to have the highest average residential score at 13, whilst Rhicullen/Newmore returned the lowest score at 2.7 .

Additional data has been further articulated within the Area Profile. Access the consultation here: https://buff.ly/FDBCaxQ

24/04/2025

Housing And Economy Unique Challenge

How will an increased delivery of housing supply across the Highlands help to support projected economic growth, retain a young workforce and provide affordable and high-quality homes for those living and working within the region?

Reminder: We are looking for evidence on these things – read our Housing and Economy paper, a part of our consultation for the new Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP) and give your comments by 12 noon on 2 May.

Access the consultation here: https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kpse/event/9D376DAB-42E8-4722-9AB2-5C223E68317E

09/12/2024

We're consulting on what information developers should provide to justify a new development site in the new Highland Local Development Plan.

We'd love to hear your views.

Read more and take part here -

https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/16385/public_consultation_on_what_information_developers_should_provide_to_justify_a_new_development_site_in_the_new_highland_local_development_plan

26/11/2024

26/11/2024

Inverness Strategy showcase event at Town House 2-7pm today. Hear from businesses and groups investing and leading change across Inverness - you can also find out more on the Inverness strategy website https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/178/development_plans/988/inverness_strategy

The Inverness Strategy drop-in public event takes place in Town House today from 2pm - 7pm.

It will be interactive, with stalls to visit and representatives from all partners will be present to talk about projects and answer any questions.

All welcome

https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/16349/invitation_to_inverness_strategy_drop-in_event