The Place-based Approach in Highland

Share The Place-based Approach in Highland on Facebook Share The Place-based Approach in Highland on Twitter Share The Place-based Approach in Highland on Linkedin Email The Place-based Approach in Highland link

In partnership with local communities, public agencies, private and third sector, Highland Council is leading the development of a place-based approach to planning for the future of each sub-regional area. During 2024/25, area-based plans will be produced as a clear statement of shared priorities for development and investment, service delivery and community action.

Why are we doing this?

The Place Principle is a Scottish Government and CoSLA initiative to encourage better collaboration and community involvement. Its about understanding the issues, opportunities and relationships in a place, so we can work effectively together to improve the quality of life for our communities. Knowing how a community is structured and how it works helps us make good decisions on investment and how to coordinate change.

How we are taking a place-based approach:

Following recent changes to the national planning system, communities have been invited to consider preparation of their own Local Place Plans - a community’s proposals for the development or use of land and buildings in their local area. Across Highland, several groups are engaging their local community to reflect on how to make their place better, agree priorities for the future and how to act on them (often working with others). While Local Place Plans have a particular role in the planning system, they may also highlight other priorities for service delivery and community action.

In Highland, sub-regional Area Place Plans are also being developed to bring together an overview of existing strategies and projects, so we are clearer on what we are working towards. Community engagement will build a shared understanding of how Place underpins development, service delivery and how organisations and communities work together. These plans will be a future guide to get the best impact for people living in an area, based on a shared understanding of local need.

At its simplest, Area Place Plans will be tools that make publicly clear what activity and investment is happening in each area, the outcomes being delivering against, when they are intended to be delivered and who is responsible for doing so (a vision, priority outcomes and how to achieve them).

Who is responsible?

The “Area Place Plan” programme was initiated by the Development Planning and Community Support services, and has brought in partners from across other council services, the wider public sector, third sector, business and communities to steer the process. The approach varies based on the local context and aspirations in each area.

The Highland-wide programme has been endorsed by full Council and Highland Community Planning Partnership:

What impact will this have?

The benefits of Area Place Planning for communities and partners are:

Simplifying how we operate

  • Consolidating local priorities from across a variety of existing plans and strategies – national, regional and local.
  • Developing a shared understanding of our communities, their priorities and opportunities for the future.
  • Making it clear what current projects and interventions are working towards, when they are to be delivered and who is responsible.

Agreeing a way forward

  • Strengthening collaborative working and trust between communities, public and third sectors.
  • A framework for delivering a shared vision, priority outcomes and actions to deliver these in a way that is tailored to the area.

Demonstrating impact

  • Targeting resources, investment and action in line with local priorities.
  • Improving communication provides greater certainty to communities on how partners will support changes in a particular area.
  • Track and publicise the impact of spending and project delivery against local priorities.

00 1448 Gairloch - Schottland.jpg by W. Bulach
People graphics by Iryna Petrenko

In partnership with local communities, public agencies, private and third sector, Highland Council is leading the development of a place-based approach to planning for the future of each sub-regional area. During 2024/25, area-based plans will be produced as a clear statement of shared priorities for development and investment, service delivery and community action.

Why are we doing this?

The Place Principle is a Scottish Government and CoSLA initiative to encourage better collaboration and community involvement. Its about understanding the issues, opportunities and relationships in a place, so we can work effectively together to improve the quality of life for our communities. Knowing how a community is structured and how it works helps us make good decisions on investment and how to coordinate change.

How we are taking a place-based approach:

Following recent changes to the national planning system, communities have been invited to consider preparation of their own Local Place Plans - a community’s proposals for the development or use of land and buildings in their local area. Across Highland, several groups are engaging their local community to reflect on how to make their place better, agree priorities for the future and how to act on them (often working with others). While Local Place Plans have a particular role in the planning system, they may also highlight other priorities for service delivery and community action.

In Highland, sub-regional Area Place Plans are also being developed to bring together an overview of existing strategies and projects, so we are clearer on what we are working towards. Community engagement will build a shared understanding of how Place underpins development, service delivery and how organisations and communities work together. These plans will be a future guide to get the best impact for people living in an area, based on a shared understanding of local need.

At its simplest, Area Place Plans will be tools that make publicly clear what activity and investment is happening in each area, the outcomes being delivering against, when they are intended to be delivered and who is responsible for doing so (a vision, priority outcomes and how to achieve them).

Who is responsible?

The “Area Place Plan” programme was initiated by the Development Planning and Community Support services, and has brought in partners from across other council services, the wider public sector, third sector, business and communities to steer the process. The approach varies based on the local context and aspirations in each area.

The Highland-wide programme has been endorsed by full Council and Highland Community Planning Partnership:

What impact will this have?

The benefits of Area Place Planning for communities and partners are:

Simplifying how we operate

  • Consolidating local priorities from across a variety of existing plans and strategies – national, regional and local.
  • Developing a shared understanding of our communities, their priorities and opportunities for the future.
  • Making it clear what current projects and interventions are working towards, when they are to be delivered and who is responsible.

Agreeing a way forward

  • Strengthening collaborative working and trust between communities, public and third sectors.
  • A framework for delivering a shared vision, priority outcomes and actions to deliver these in a way that is tailored to the area.

Demonstrating impact

  • Targeting resources, investment and action in line with local priorities.
  • Improving communication provides greater certainty to communities on how partners will support changes in a particular area.
  • Track and publicise the impact of spending and project delivery against local priorities.

00 1448 Gairloch - Schottland.jpg by W. Bulach
People graphics by Iryna Petrenko