Setting the direction for the future of Caithness and Sutherland

23rd September 2014

Highland Councillors have given the go ahead for a major public consultation to help prepare a new 20 year Local Development Plan for the Caithness and Sutherland area, to be known as CaSPlan. The Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee agreed the Main Issues Report which will be the first formal stage of preparing the new CaSPlan.

The Main Issues Report will seek people's views on the future priorities for the area such as employment, housing, town centres, the environment and how people travel. It also suggests outcomes that the plan should deliver and options for where future housing, business and industry development should be directed.
Following its approval the Main Issues Report and an accompanying Environmental Report will now be subject to a 12 week public consultation and everyone with an interest in the area is being encouraged to have their say.

Area Leader, Councillor Deirdre Mackay said: "The Main Issues Report is important as it clearly states how we will seek to deliver outcomes that benefit all those who live, work and visit the area, and those who invest in it. The vision we believe in is ambitious and reflects the huge potential there is across our area.

"As well as seeing a strong and diverse economy featuring a renowned centre for renewable energy and world class engineering and marine-based industries, we want to continue to develop as a top class tourism destination which celebrates and promotes our culture, history and stunning scenery. We also want to see our communities grow and become successful and socially inclusive. Key to achieving these ambitions will be ensuring we have the right enhanced communications and transport infrastructure in place.

“At the meeting my fellow Councillors and I stressed that it was essential that communities be given the chance to have an input and really get engaged with the consultation so I am delighted details of how they can take part will be given shortly when the consultation is launched in October."

Details of the Main Issues Report consultation will be made available on the Council's website www.highland.gov.uk/casplan. This will include an interactive version of the document to allow people to make comments online.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

14/10/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's Offices: Go Digital, Bring in Mobile Offices and Save Money?

The banks have closed branches across the Highlands and customers have adapted.  With Highland Council facing serious financial pressures, is it time to rethink permanent offices and take council services directly to the people who need them? There was a time when going to the bank meant visiting a branch.  

12/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
The Highland Council is ready for winter - are you?

Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now’ for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities.   The Highland Council’s winter service starts on Wednesday 14 October and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.  

10/10/2026 : Local Authority

France's Schools Are in Revolt. Is Scotland Any Better?

Class sizes, teacher shortages, school buildings and the pressure on teachers reveal a more complicated picture than politicians' headline figures suggest.   Protests over the state of schools in France have raised questions that parents in Scotland might recognise.  

6/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Tourists Take the Homes: Is Europe Losing Its Housing to Tourism?

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting across Spain over the country's housing crisis, with rapidly rising rents and the growing influence of tourism among their biggest concerns.   The protests came after the Spanish parliament rejected government measures intended to strengthen tenant protection and restrict some forms of short-term rental accommodation.  

5/10/2026 : Local Authority

Still time to return Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election ballots

Anyone eligible to vote in the contested Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election is reminded that their postal ballot papers need to be completed and returned in the pre-paid envelope provided by 12 noon on Thursday, 8 October 2026.   Candidates standing were invited to submit a statement to support their candidacy and these statements are provided in the envelopes mailed out along with the ballot papers to all eligible voters.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Julie Calder wins easily for Lib Dems in East Caithnes bi-election

Dave BUCHANAN Independent 714 Julie CALDER Scottish Liberal Democrats Elected Stage 1 1,522 Charlotte GIBSON Scottish Conservative and Unionist 79 John GLEN Scottish National Party (SNP) 424 Iain RICHMOND Reform UK 283# No further preference 0 Remainder not transferred 0 Total 3,022.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council proceeds to procurement for a new electric Corran Ferry

The Highland Council has reached another significant milestone in the delivery of a replacement Corran Ferry, with the procurement for a new electric vessel.   Funded through a £58 million investment from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, including £28 million from the Scottish Government for the new electric vessel, £20 million from the UK Government and £10 million from The Highland Council towards landside infrastructure, the project will deliver a modern replacement ferry service for one of Scotland's busiest single-vessel crossings.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Wick and Thurso Jobs secured and bus services strengthened through D&E Coaches acquisition

Highland Council-owned D&E Coaches has confirmed the acquisition of Stagecoach’s Thurso and Wick bus operation securing local jobs.  This will protect vital services and strengthening public transport provision across the Highlands.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Reforming Scotland’s Councils: Should We Test One Region Before Reorganising Them All?

Scotland is considering one of the biggest changes to local government for a generation.  The Scottish Government has proposed replacing the existing 32 councils with between six and ten regional authorities, alongside somewhere between 120 and 160 community authorities.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scottish Cities Alliance Investment Conference to showcase Highland opportunities

Inverness will welcome government representatives, investors, business leaders and economic development partners later this week as it hosts the Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investor Event.  A two-day programme designed to showcase investment opportunities across Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland's city regions.