People across Highland have been given an extra two months to put forward ideas which could influence where homes, businesses and other development should be built over the next decade.

Highland Council has extended its Call for Ideas until 20 November, with suggestions from residents, communities and businesses helping to shape the next Highland Local Development Plan.

The consultation gives people an opportunity to propose changes affecting their own communities as well as broader policies governing future development and land use.

Ideas submitted will be considered as the council develops policies, development standards and priorities for places across the Highland Council area.

Some of the suggestions already received demonstrate just how varied those ideas can be.

Proposals include improved walking, cycling and wheeling routes in Ross and Cromarty and better use of local greenspace in Inverness.

Another suggestion calls for a new outdoor sea swimming pool in Sutherland, while others have proposed stronger policies to protect riverbanks and greenspaces.

Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:

“Thank you to all those who have already submitted ideas through the Call for Ideas survey. With the survey now extended to November, there is even more opportunity to shape the next Highland Local Development Plan, guiding how land is used and how our communities develop over the years ahead.

“I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest in their local area to put forward policy ideas or place ideas.

“By working together, we can create a plan that reflects the needs, ambitions and unique character of Highland.”

The eventual Highland Local Development Plan will become one of the most important documents governing future development across the council area.

Once adopted, it will establish a long term vision and ten year spatial strategy setting out how land should be used and where development should and should not take place.

It will also replace several existing plans covering different parts of Highland.

Those include the Highland Wide Local Development Plan, Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan and West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan.

Bringing those plans together will create a single development framework covering the Highland Council area.

For communities, the process offers an opportunity to influence decisions long before individual development proposals reach the planning application stage.

Whether the idea is a better walking route, protection for an important greenspace or something entirely new for a town or village, Highlanders now have until 20 November to put it forward.

The short Call For Ideas survey is available on the Council’s engagement platform EngageHighland: Project: Call for Ideas Survey | The Highland Council

It is open to everyone wanting to help shape the future of Highland.

The survey will now close on 20 November 2026.