Feedback sought on updated planning framework for Dounreay

14th November 2013

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, DSRL’s 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 Council’s 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 Council’s 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 Council’s website or otherwise contact The Highland Council Development Plans Team on (01349) 886608 or by e-mail to: devplans[AT]highland.gov.uk