The creation of a new Local Development Plan for the Inner Moray Firth area continues to progress after the Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee approved the proposals.

The plans outline how and where the local authority thinks the area should be developed over the next 20 years.

The approval means the Council will now carry out a six-week consultation to allow the public, developers and local businesses to share their thoughts on the future plan.

Once adopted, the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan will provide policies and site allocations to guide development over an area which stretches from Tain in the north, through Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Dingwall to Garve in the West, down Loch Ness to Fort Augustus, and through Inverness to Nairn and Auldearn.

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Councillor Thomas Prag, Chairman of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, said: "A huge amount of work has been done to get to this stage and I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the process so far for letting us know how they would like to see their community develop over the next 20 years.

"People have really engaged with the process so far and it's really important that they give us their comments on this plan for the future. It's about where we live and work and play so it's up to us to help shape how future development will impact on our area. Therefore I hope as many people as possible take this chance to review what has been done to date and feedback their comments."

The consultation is likely to begin next month.

(JP/MH)