Feedback sought on updated planning framework for Dounreay

14th November 2013

Photograph of Feedback sought on updated planning framework for Dounreay

Tomorrow (15 November 2013) The Highland Council launches a public consultation on the Dounreay Planning Framework 2: Draft Supplementary Guidance.

The Highland Council approved the existing Dounreay Planning Framework in January 2006, as a land use development brief against which to regulate and control future decommissioning and restoration works proposed at the former nuclear power research site at Dounreay, near Thurso in Caithness.

Councillor Deidre Mackay, Chairman of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee said: The Highland Council working with Dounreay Site Restoration Limited has reviewed the existing framework, prepared Dounreay Planning Framework 2 (DPF2) as a draft and now invites comments on it. It presents an up-to-date overview of the policy context, regulatory regimes, site restoration programme and decommissioning works, providing explanation of the wider context for the component developments that are anticipated to be required.

Carl Beck, DSRLs Planning Applications Manager, said: "The second edition of the Dounreay Planning Framework brings up to date the latest plans for decommissioning and restoring the Dounreay Site. Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd have worked closely with the Highland Council to produce a land use plan to support the Highland wide Local Development Plan. DSRL fully support the consultation process and welcome stake-holder and public engagement."

Draft DPF2 may be viewed free of charge during normal opening hours at: the Public Libraries in Thurso, Bettyhill, Wick and Helmsdale; on the Far North and Brora Mobile Libraries; in Highland Council Service Points in Thurso, Bettyhill, Durness, Wick, Helmsdale and Brora; at dounreay.com (7 Olrig Street, Thurso); at Council HQ (Planning Reception) in Inverness or may be viewed via Planning Consultations at www.highland.gov.uk/developmentplans

Anyone wishing to submit comments on Draft DPF2 is asked to use the Councils response form which includes the consultation questions set out in the document and details of how to submit the comments. The form is available on the Councils website or by contacting the Council using the details below. The deadline for comments to arrive with the Council is 5pm on Thursday 16 January 2014.

All comments received by the deadline will be considered by the Council before DPF2, with any amendments, is finalised and adopted as Supplementary Guidance to Policy 24 of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

Anyone with a question can look at the information on the Councils website or otherwise contact The Highland Council Development Plans Team on (01349) 886608 or by e-mail to: devplans[AT]highland.gov.uk

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Other Public Services

 
Scottish nuclear site hails e-learning platform as ‘great example of industry collaboration’

The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) award-winning e-learning platform has been hailed as a great example of industry collaboration in action.   To mark Learning at Work Week 2026, NRS Dounreay has highlighted how the ECITB’s Learning Experience Platform (LXP) has become a “go-to training solution” for its 1,400 workers.  

18/5/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council showcases Invest Highland at UKREiiF 2026

The Highland Council is showcasing the region’s ambitious Invest Highland programme at a national event this week at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2026 in Leeds.   The Leader of the Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner, alongside Council Officers and Calum MacPherson of Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport will attend this year’s UKREiiF which exists to connect people, places, and businesses to accelerate investment, foster development, and drive sustainable regeneration across the UK.  

15/5/2026 : Other Public Services

 
NRS socio-economic funding supports 129 UK community projects

Almost £2 million was invested by Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) last year in socio-economic initiatives, supporting good causes in communities local to its 14 decommissioning sites.   The NRS socio-economic scheme provided £1,979,721 during 2025-26 to enhance the social and economic wellbeing of communities located near NRS sites.  

15/5/2026 : Local Authority

 
Inverness - Highland Bid Director for UK City of Culture appointed

Highly respected cultural leader and strategist Bryan Beattie has been appointed by The Highland Council as Bid Director of the Inverness - Highland bid for UK City of Culture 2029.   He was recently creative director for the Inverness Castle Experience and interim Chief Executive at Eden Court, and a former Chair of Fèis Rois and Scottish Youth Theatre.  

14/5/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council enhances delivery on the Highland Housing Challenge

The Highland Council will meet on Thursday, 14 May and on the agenda for discussion is a report on the Highland Housing Challenge.   The Highland Housing Challenge was declared in June 2024, with a target of 24,000 new homes by 2034.  

13/5/2026 : Local Authority

 
Glen Earrach Energy signs Social Value Charter, pledging Scotland's largest Community Wealth Fund

A pumped storage hydro project proposed near Loch Ness has committed to allocating 5 per cent of its annual gross margin to a Community Wealth Fund estimated to deliver over £20 million a year.   Glen Earrach Energy (GEE) has become the second company to sign the Highland Social Value Charter, marking a significant milestone in delivering long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the Highlands.  

12/5/2026 : Local Authority

 
Views sought on proposals to introduce Short Term Let Control Areas in Highland

A public consultation opens today on proposals to introduce Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCA) in Highland with the aim of striking a better balance between tourism growth and local housing need.   The Highland Council is seeking views from residents, communities, businesses and the tourism sector on proposals to introduce two STLCAs: Inverness City STLCA, which would cover the wards of Inverness West; Inverness Central; Inverness Ness-side; Inverness Millburn; and parts of Inverness South, including Westhill, Milton of Leys and Slackbuie, and; Highland Rural STLCA, which would cover the wards of Lochaber; Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh; Sutherland; Skye and Raasay; Aird and Loch Ness; and parts of Inverness South, including Tomatin and Daviot.  

10/5/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's Ambitious Capital Spending Plans Face Delays Due To Scottish Government Deficit Realities

The financial pressures facing both the Scottish Government and councils could create major risks for ambitious long-term capital programmes such as The Highland Council’s Highland Investment Plan (HIP), including the proposed £100 million redevelopment of Thurso High School into a major community campus.  However, the picture is complicated because projects like Thurso are also politically and economically important for the region.  

6/5/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council’s Debt Crunch: Rising Borrowing Costs Put 20‑Year Capital Plans Under Pressure

Highland Council is heading into a tougher financial climate than at any point since the financial crash and the pressure is coming from a direction that residents rarely see: the cost of government borrowing.   Following the UK’s latest rise in borrowing costs, the price councils pay for long‑term loans has increased again.  

5/5/2026 : Local Authority

Will Governments Override Local Councils to Build Wind Farms and Battery Storage? A Look at the UK’s Energy Shift

As the energy crisis continues to reshape policy across the UK, a key question keeps coming up.  Will national governments override local councils that refuse planning permission for renewable energy projects like wind farms and battery storage sites? The short answer is this is already happening and it’s likely to increase.