Plans to strengthen the environmental credentials of major infrastructure projects will be front and centre when Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee meets on Thursday 29 May.
At the heart of the agenda are proposals that could see compensatory planting schemes and biodiversity enhancements approved well before the first shovel hits the ground.
It’s a move designed to ensure that development doesn’t come at the cost of nature.
Committee Chair, Councillor Ken Gowans, said the aim is to help balance the needs of growth and conservation in a more proactive way.
These schemes, he explained, play a vital role in supporting biodiversity across the region and beyond.
“Environmental schemes are important for our communities,” said Cllr Gowans.
“They ensure biodiversity is improved alongside new infrastructure, and this approach could help developers deliver positive impacts more effectively.”
The Committee will be asked to approve a principle that would allow proposed environmental schemes to be endorsed before planning permission is granted.
It’s a step that could streamline the planning process for major developments while offering early reassurance that nature is being taken seriously.
The proposals also include introducing a fee structure for major projects seeking advance approval of their environmental measures.
This would give developers clearer expectations and help the Council manage resources efficiently.
Cllr Gowans noted that finding land for compensatory planting or habitat improvements is often a sticking point.
“Major infrastructure projects can face real challenges in securing the right land for their environmental commitments,” he said.
“When this happens, we risk project delays and weaker biodiversity outcomes.”
The new approach aims to tackle that by encouraging earlier collaboration and planning.
It’s a step towards smoother development that still keeps sustainability at its core.
By giving developers the tools and guidance they need earlier in the process, the Council hopes to avoid the pitfalls that often plague large-scale construction.
This aligns with Highland Council’s broader commitment to responsible growth and climate-conscious planning.
The Council has made clear it wants to be at the forefront of sustainable development in Scotland.
With these latest proposals, it is taking action to turn that vision into reality.
Full details of the agenda and supporting documents are available now on the Council’s website.
