The Highland Council has launched a public consultation on the development of the draft Thurso Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.

The Appraisal and Management Plan seek to define the characteristics that make Thurso an area of special architectural and historic interest and set out recommendations of how best to preserve the town's rich history and heritage. They also propose a number of important changes to the conservation area boundary.

Commenting on the draft documents, Malcolm MacLeod, The Highland Council's Executive Chief Officer for Infrastructure, Environment and Economy said: "We all have a role to play in preserving and regenerating the rich heritage of Thurso. The Appraisal includes a fresh assessment of the Thurso Conservation Area to ensure it accurately reflects what is important in terms of our heritage. It also considers what opportunities and challenges currently face the Conservation Area.

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"I would invite the public – and especially residents of Thurso – to attend a drop-in event at the North Coast Visitor Centre on Wednesday 30th March to discuss the Appraisal with Council Officers. It is really important that the documents reflect and incorporate the views, thoughts and ideas of the local community and I would encourage anyone with an interest to respond to the consultation and help determine how the historic centre of Thurso is managed into the future."

The public are invited to attend a drop-in event on Wednesday 30th March, between 12 and 5pm at the North Coast Visitor Centre, High Street, Thurso. Representatives of the Council's Historic Environment Team will be on hand to discuss the consultation, answer queries and share the draft appraisal and maps.

The consultation is open for comments between 21st March and 2nd May 2022.