Communities and developers are being invited to have their say in shaping a revised policy aimed at managing the provision of houses in multiple occupation in the Highlands.

For nearly three years The Highland Council has had in place a policy to manage the concentration of houses in multiple occupation, which has been implemented through partnership working between council services across Highland.

A consultation, organised by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service runs until Monday 26 September 2011. Already the document has been sent to a number of groups, including community councils, homeless partnership groups, and all licensed houses in multiple occupation.

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The consultation document can be viewed on The Highland Council’s website at: /yourenvironment/planning/consultations.htm or at local Highland Council Service Points and libraries.

Councillor Iain Ross, Chair of the Council’s Planning Environment and Development Committee said: "Houses in Multiple Occupation provide an important source of accommodation in Highland. This document sets out how planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation could be assessed and encourages developers to think about the overall impact of their development for those living within a house in multiple occupation and their neighbours.

"The provision of houses in multiple occupation within Inverness City Centre is an important issue and the draft guidance sets out five clear options for how this provision could be managed in future. The Council are seeking the views of the community and developers in order to help decide the most appropriate option set out in the guidance or bring forward other innovative approaches."

Anyone with comments about the draft guidance can telephone Simon Hindson, Highland Council Planner on 01463 702261, or write to: Development Plans Team, The Highland Council, Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX.

The closing date for comments is Monday 26 September 2011.

(GK)