MIR: important news!

Please think carefully about this and encourage others to so the same:

Those who have been visiting the HwLDP blog and perhaps read the Development Plans Team's recent press release will have been informed that :

"The (Development Plans) team have attended and hosted over 50 information days, ward forums and other meetings with specific groups. They have informed over 1300 individuals and groups that are on the Council’s consultation database, distributed more than 800 Main Issues Reports to interested parties and advertised in a number of local publications."

"Following the close of the consultation the Development Plans Team will take into consideration all responses to the Main Issues Report before producing the proposed plan which will be published in the new year. There will be a chance to have your say on the proposed plan with a consultation planned to last at least 6 weeks." (APTSec has put 'Proposed Plan - the HwLDP in bold).

What you may not be aware of is this:

It is my understanding that Scottish Ministers will view the proposed plan as representing the planning authority's settled view on what the content of the plan should be, the assumption being that all controversial elements of the plan will have been tested through consultation responses to the MIR. The Ministers' faith in the MIR consultation process is such that representations to the proposed plan may not exceed 2000 words. Representations may be accompanied by supporting information, but it is anticipated that that information will be limited. There is no automatic opportunity for parties to expand on their representation later in the process.

That is why it is so important to think about the issues. For example, the MIR should have included genuine alternatives

So please, take Mr Macleod up on his offer when he says:

“We would encourage people from right across the Highland area to give us feedback on the Main Issues Report. If you or your group don’t think you will be able to meet the deadline of the 9th November, please still try and get us any feedback you may have by the end of November so we can carefully consider it before we start work on the proposed plan stage of the Highland wide Local Development.”

Beyond this MIR Consultation our opportunity to shape the HwLDP may be less effective as the development plan stages progress!