The Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan Main Issues Report sets out the council’s view on how and where the area should grow in the future. 

The Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan covers the areas of Nairnshire, Inverness district and the eastern part of Ross and Cromarty. The initial consultative document is called the Main Issues Report and asks for people’s views on nine Main Issues affecting the area, including climate change, economic recovery and delivering affordable housing. It suggests ways in which local planning policy and decisions can best address these issues. It also asks for people’s views on development site options, locally important greenspaces and other community priorities for every main settlement. 

Executive chief officer for infrastructure and the environment Malcolm MacLeod is encouraging as many people as possible to get involved and have their say.

He said: “The pandemic has made us all more aware of our local neighbourhood and how we travel around it whether it’s finding somewhere convenient and attractive to exercise, to take the dog or for where our children can play safely. For those working or shopping from home, a good internet connection has become vital. Similarly, the need to have closer access to health facilities and care is also influencing where people wish to live. 

“All of these issues and many more are affected by planning decisions. For example, new investment in schools, roads, fibre optic cabling, greenspaces and sewerage follows where new development occurs. Most people are aware of planning applications particularly if a development is likely to happen next door to them but many don’t realise that the, in principle, decision on whether and what type of building takes place on that land may have already been made.

“These, in principle, decisions on where future development should and should not occur are made through a statutory document called a local development plan. This is your best opportunity to affect the future development of your local neighbourhood or wider community so please take up this chance to find out more and tell us what you think.” 

Comments can be made anytime up to 5pm on Thursday 1 April 2021.