The Highland Council is calling for people to submit suggestions for inclusion in the new plan for the future of Caithness and Sutherland.
Work has begun on the forthcoming Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan). To assist in the production of CaSPlan, the Council are inviting anyone with an interest to submit suggestions of sites that should be built on over the next 5-10 years and of sites that should be protected from future development. At the same time, the Council are inviting people to identify issues for planning in the Caithness and Sutherland area and to suggest ideas for how to address them.
CaSPlan will be the second of three new area Local Development Plans. Once formally adopted, these new plans will form part of the Councils Development Plan, which will guide planning officers during the determination of planning applications.
Chair of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee, Councillor Deirdre Mackay said: I urge residents and anyone else with an interest to get involved with the call for sites and ideas. It is really important that communities get involved from the start. It is your place and your plan so please engage with the process early, before any decisions are taken. Everyone has a right to say what kind of place they want to live in.
Councillor Mackay also urges all residents to think about the local implications of bigger issues. Although the new Plan will focus on which areas of land will be built on or protected, these decisions should be shaped by wider concerns.
The Civic Leader for Caithness, Councillor Gail Ross added: We were delighted with the level of participation at both the Thurso and Wick Charrettes and encourage everyone in the plan area to fully engage with the plan process to ensure that the CaSPlan truly reflects the needs of the communities and provides thriving sustainable settlements throughout the plan area.
Anyone wishing to submit suggestions to the Council has until 5pm on the 17th October 2013 to do so and should use the special form available via the Councils website. Any suggestions submitted will be assessed by the Council before being issued for further public consultation.
Anyone wishing to make a suggestion or wanting to find out more on the process of producing and adopting the CaSPlan, can read the Call for Sites and Ideas Guide which is available via the Councils web-site www.highland.gov.uk/casplan.
Anyone with questions or requiring assistance can contact the development plans team on 01349 886608 or email casplan[AT]highland.gov.uk