Highland Council is set to invest £300,000 in Dingwall as part of its Highland Investment Plan.

The first phase of investment will see £150,000 allocated towards flood mitigation works on the River Peffery. This investment aims to reduce flood risk and unlock development opportunities at Dingwall Business Park.

A further £150,000 will be used to develop a Community Point of Service Delivery (POD). This new facility could potentially co-locate services such as the library, council offices, and potentially even the local primary school.

The Council has been engaging with the local community to gather feedback on these proposals. While the initial feedback has been positive, further consultation will be required, particularly if the relocation of St Clement's School is considered.

Highland Council Convener Bill Lobban said: "Dingwall is recognised for its community spirit, but is facing similar challenges to other parts of Highland, including reduced commercial presence and outward migration. The ongoing collaborative process has helped to inform the development of potential solutions which could make best use of local assets and improve service delivery in Dingwall, ensuring effective and more accessible services to meet local community needs."

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Leader Raymond Bremner said: "There are significant opportunities for inward investment and development in this area, especially given the importance of this location within the Green Freeport and associated job creation. It is important that we take a strategic approach to leveraging Dingwall's location and assets for energy transition, carbon reduction, and addressing the climate challenges. We need investment in the region’s supporting infrastructure, and to build in to this the design for better local access to coordinated and sustainable services."

Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee Cllr Ken Gowans added: "It is important to attract, retain, and support residents and visitors, positioning Dingwall as a destination in its own right, with the best possible facilities, services, schools, and housing."

Members will be asked to agree the proposed location for a Community POD development in Dingwall and to commence discussions with the landowner regarding the future purchase of the required site area.

Members will also be asked to note the progress in identifying the short-list of options to be taken forward to the next stage of the options appraisal process for the Community POD location in Thurso and that the Stage 3 outcome will be reported to the Council meeting in June 2025.

The outcomes from Stage 2 of the options appraisal process for each of the five other prioritised Phase 1 locations at Alness, Brora, Dornoch, Golspie and Invergordon will be reported to Council on a phased basis throughout the course of 2025.

Funding of the Highland Investment Plan will form part of the Council tax and budget decisions on 6 March 2025.