Find more funding
There are many other organisations who may be offering funding that will help you, and our handy funding search tool brings them all together.
Have Your Say on the Future Development of Highland
The Highland Council is inviting residents, businesses and communities to share their ideas for the future of Highland through its "Call for Ideas Survey". Feedback will help shape the new Highland Local Development Plan, guiding development, land use and placemaking priorities across the region over the next decade. The survey is open until 18 September 2026.
Communities, residents, businesses and stakeholders across Highland are being encouraged to share their ideas and help shape the future of the region through a new Call for Ideas consultation launched by The Highland Council. The initiative will inform the preparation of the next Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP), which will set out a long-term vision and spatial strategy for how Highland develops over the next decade.
The consultation is now open on the Council’s Engage Highland platform and invites people to submit ideas relating to development, land use, placemaking and community priorities. Feedback gathered through the survey will help shape future planning policies, development requirements and standards, ensuring that local voices play a central role in determining how communities evolve in the years ahead.
The new HLDP will replace several existing local development plans, including the Highland-wide Local Development Plan, the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan 2, the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan, and the West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan. Once adopted, the HLDP will guide decisions on where development should and should not take place across Highland, helping to balance economic growth, environmental protection and community needs.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, highlighted the importance of public participation in the process. He said:
“This Call for Ideas consultation is an opportunity to share what matters most to you, from how our towns and villages grow, to how we protect our landscapes, improve local facilities and respond to climate change.
“Your ideas will play an important role in shaping the next Highland Local Development Plan, guiding how land is used and how our communities develop over the years ahead. Whether it’s suggesting new spaces, improving connections for walking, cycling and wheeling, or influencing the policies that guide development, every idea has value.
“I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest in their local area to take part. By working together, we can create a plan that reflects the needs, ambitions and unique character of Highland.”
The Council is keen to hear a broad range of suggestions from individuals, community groups, businesses and organisations. Whether the focus is housing, green infrastructure, transport links, community facilities, economic development or environmental resilience, every submission will contribute to building a plan that reflects local ambitions and the unique character of Highland’s diverse communities.
The consultation has been designed to make participation simple and accessible. Users can explore current consultations, provide feedback and, if they choose to register, access additional features including interactive maps, voting tools and customised alerts for projects affecting topics or areas of interest. The platform also helps keep participants informed about consultation outcomes and decision-making processes.
The Call for Ideas Survey opened on 7 July 2026 and will remain available until 18 September 2026, giving communities plenty of time to contribute their views. Anyone wishing to take part can complete the survey online through the Engage Highland platform. Assistance is also available for those who require support with making a submission.
Residents, businesses and community organisations are encouraged to seize this opportunity to help shape the future of Highland and ensure that the next Local Development Plan reflects the aspirations, challenges and opportunities of the region for years to come.
