The Highland Council has unveiled its bold twenty-year strategy, the Highland Investment Plan, designed to tackle key challenges and build a sustainable future for communities.
At its heart is a place-based approach that aims to create integrated community hubs, known as Points of Delivery (PODS), modernise schools, address housing shortages, and reduce the number of council-owned properties.
The plan is set to deliver 24,000 new homes within the next decade through a focused Housing Action Plan, while also driving efficiency in property management and service delivery.
Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, Chair of the Housing and Property Committee, described the initiative as a game-changer for the region’s future.
She explained that the Council, alongside public sector partners, is mapping its extensive portfolio of assets to decide which should be sold, repurposed, or retained to meet future needs.
The Council’s school estate is one of Scotland’s largest, encompassing 196 schools across urban and rural areas, presenting a unique challenge in modernisation.
By co-locating services, partnering with investors, and fostering opportunities within the construction and supply chain sectors, the Council aims to deliver innovative community models that align with the needs of a progressive society.
The plan also seeks to address the region’s declining population, enhance transport links, and stimulate economic growth across the Highlands.
An estimated £2.8 billion additional investment is needed to accelerate these initiatives, but opportunities for co-investment between public and private sectors are already emerging.
Councillor Campbell Sinclair highlighted the potential of schemes like Non-Domestic Rates concessions within the Green Freeport and the Social Value Charter from Renewables as catalysts for funding.
A £2 million allocation has been committed to the Highland Investment Plan to kick-start these transformative efforts, with regular updates to be presented to Redesign Boards and Full Council.
By streamlining resources, lowering maintenance costs, and reducing carbon emissions, the plan sets out a clear path for sustainable growth while safeguarding service delivery.
This dynamic approach reflects the Council’s commitment to securing a brighter, more integrated future for the Highlands and its communities.
