Action plan will help build for renewables benefit
THE Highland Council has published a 10-point action plan, which it is developing with key partners, to help plan for the growth of the marine renewable energy industry in the North Highland.
This follows on from Onshore Visioning workshops held at the Castle of Mey in August 2010 and February this year, to which a wide range of people and organisations were invited.
This work is mainly focused on the onshore development that will be necessary in North Highland to enable and support wave, tidal and offshore wind power.
These sectors have been identified as priorities for the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership, of which the Highland Council is a key member.
The action plan’s priorities include making sure that there is a range of business and industrial sites available to meet likely needs, putting in place masterplans or design guidance for key areas of change and pursuing ways of assisting delivery of development.
The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment (PFBE) was commissioned by the Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Government to hold the workshops and to prepare a report.
The PFBE’s report provides a record of the issues and key locations discussed at the workshops and its recommendations have provided a starting point for preparing the action plan.
Councillor Ian Ross, chairman of the council’s planning, environment and development committee, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the two workshops at the Castle of Mey.
“The council is committed to sustainable economic growth and the onshore aspects of the marine energy resource in North Highland offer the potential of investment from this industry.
The North Highland vision work complements the work being undertaken by the council and other key partners working within the Caithness & North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.
“This emphasises the council’s shared ambition with other partners to realise the maximum development opportunity in Caithness and North Sutherland.”
The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment report and the action plan can be found on the council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk