Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan events coming to Halkirk, Wick and Tongue

18th November 2014

People living and working in Caithness and Sutherland are being encouraged to help influence a new Local Development Plan for the area known as CaSPlan. Upcoming events include:

· Halkirk on 25 November at the Ross Institute, Bridge Street;

· Wick on 26 November at the Town Hall, Bridge Street; and

· Tongue on 27 November at the Village Hall, Kirkiboll.

At each event there will be a drop-in session between 2pm and 5.30pm and a round table discussion which starts at 6.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend one or both parts of the event.

In Halkirk, Wick and Tongue communities will be asked what they would like Caithness and Sutherland to look like 20 years from now. One of the issues covered in the consultation document - known as the Main Issues Report - is strengthening and supporting communities.

Scott Dalgarno, Highland Council's Development Plans Manager explains: "In planning for the future of this area we're hearing that people want to live in places where there is convenient access to services. To achieve this, the Main Issues Report suggests that settlement centres should be supported and strengthened as the places where services and new development are encouraged and where people want to visit, shop and invest. They should also be places where regeneration and the re-use of vacant or under-used sites and buildings is encouraged."

The Council wants to hear everyone's views on the Main Issues Report. The easiest way to read it is online at www.highland.gov.uk/casplan where comments can also be submitted. Copies of the CaSPlan Main Issues Report are also available at each Council Service Point and Public Library in the area.

Citizens Online are attending the consultation events in Wick, Brora, Dornoch and Lairg and are available to assist anyone who requires help with accessing the interactive Main Issues Report or using the online form.

Any comments on the Main Issues Report need to be received by the Council no later than 12 noon on Thursday 29 January 2015.