The Highland Council has approved a new guidance on shopfront design.

Members of the Council's Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee have backed a new guidance aimed at ensuring high quality designs for traditional, replacement and new shopfronts throughout the Highlands.

The blueprint sets out general principles for repair, reinstatement and replacement of shopfronts, as well as general principles for new shopfronts in new development. It also considers signage and how good advertising can be accommodated in both traditional and modern shopfronts.

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A draft of the proposals went out to public consultation earlier this year and last week members had a chance to review the draft which will now form part of the planning process.

Chair of the Committee, Cllr Allan Henderson, said: "I would like to thank all the retailers, local businesses, community groups, shoppers and the public who took part in the consultation as their input has been very helpful.

"Shopfronts are highly visible features of our built environment and the image they project has a significant impact on the way people experience an area. Well designed and attractive shopfronts can increase economic activity however the opposite is also true as rundown, unattractive shopfronts can have a negative impact.

"Not only does this Guidance provide lots of helpful advice to promote good quality applications but it will hopefully encourage developers and applicants  to consider design at the earliest stage in their proposals."

(LM)