Views sought on ­­Highland Planning Policies through new consultation portal

28th September 2015

Consultations commence on a review of the Highland-Wide Local Development Plan, Onshore Wind Energy Guidance and the Local Housing Strategy.

The Highland Council has today launched three online consultations on planning and housing issues across the area, including a review of its main planning policy document the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

The Highland-wide Local Development Plan Main Issues Report seeks people's views on updating the Highland Council's main policies for determining planning applications and shaping the future of the Highland area. The Main Issues Report, which was published today for a 12 week public consultation running until 18th December, sets out issues and options for updating a broad range of planning policies, and an updated vision and spatial strategy for Highland. The strategy includes focussing development on existing settlements, support rural businesses and communities, and an emphasis on design and transport issues. The document is structured around four key outcomes that show how the plan could help deliver community planning priorities.

At the same time the Council is seeking views on two other documents, the draft Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance and the Local Housing Strategy. The draft Onshore Wind Energy Supplementary Guidance sets out suggested criteria for assessing proposals for wind energy development. This draft follows consultation carried out in spring 2015 on the issues for review of our current guidance, such as impact on communities, natural heritage and cumulative impacts. The Highland Housing Strategy will inform how the Highland Council and others tackle housing issues across different sectors, and how and where to direct investment in housing and related services.

The public consultation on these documents runs from 25 September to 18 December 2015. The three documents are being published through a new consultation portal consult.highland.gov.uk which the Council has launched to make it easy to read and comment on planning consultation documents. Users simply need to create an account which can be used for these and any future consultations on the Council’s development plans.

As part of the consultation a series of public events are being held across Highland to raise awareness and give people a chance to discuss any issues with staff. Each event listed below includes a drop-in session between 2pm and 5.30pm, followed by a roundtable discussion workshop which starts at 6.30pm.

FORT WILLIAM
Wed 30 Sept
2pm - 5.30pm
Fort William Library, High Street, PH33 6EU
6.30pm
Highland Council Offices, Lochaber House, High Street, PH33 6EL

PORTREE
Mon 5 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Council Offices, Tigh na Sgire, Park Lane, IV51 9GP
6.30pm

NAIRN
Wed 7 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
The Court House, High Street, IV12 4AU
6.30pm
GAIRLOCH

Mon 26 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
The Gale Centre, IV21 2BH
6.30pm
Gairloch Community Hall, Achtercairn, IV21 2BP

DORNOCH
Wed 28 Oct 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Dornoch Social Club, School Hill, IV25 3PF
6.30pm

WICK
Mon 2 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
New Council Offices, Caithness House, Market Place, KW1 4AB
6.30pm
Town Hall, Bridge Street, KW1 5NS

KINLOCHBERVIE
Tue 3 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Village Hall, Manse Road, IV27 4RG
6.30pm

INVERNESS
Mon 9 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Town House, Bridge Street, IV1 1JJ
6.30pm

DINGWALL
Wed 11 Nov 2015
2pm - 5.30pm
Town Hall, Church Street, IV15 9SB
6.30pm
Council Offices, Council Chamber, High Street, IV15 9QN

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

1/9/2026 : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.