The Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Michael Foxley, has written to the Rt Hon Danny Alexander, MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to seek an assurance that local communities will benefit directly from the revenues derived from the Crown Estate marine resource.

Councillor Foxley has very much welcomed the recent announcement that half the revenues from the Crown Estate marine resource will go to coastal communities via a new Coastal Communities Fund to be administered by the Big Lottery Fund.

He said: “This is an historic move as it is the first time in almost 30 years that there has been a significant change which will ensure local communities gain directly from the use of the marine resource.”

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However, he wants clear guidance issued that local communities directly benefit from a coastal development on their doorstep. This might be via a Highlands and Islands Sub-Committee.

He added: “In addition, I remain firmly convinced of the need to have the management of the Crown Estate devolved to the Highlands and Islands. The planning powers should simply be devolved directly to the individual local authority. I would suggest that the strategic management is organised by a joint board comprising of the Highlands and Islands local authorities and Highlands and Islands Enterprise as well as representatives from appropriate businesses probably put forward by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry. The work could be carried out by a lead agency within this body. I very much welcome your approach and simply wish to see further decentralisation and devolvement take place in the near future.”

(GK)