Orkney Islands Council will hold a major conference and training event in partnership with the Scottish Government this week (September 17 and 18) on the planning and design of rural houses, at the Pickaquoy Centre.

High profile speakers include the Scottish Government's Chief Planner Jim Mackinnon and award-winning architects from Inverness and Skye.

There will also be speakers from County Cork in Ireland and a major kit house building firm that supplies the Highlands and Islands, as well as presentations from local architect Peter Finnigan and OIC planner Jamie Macvie.

They will talk on issues related to improving the design of private houses in the countryside.

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Discussions will touch also on the design of public buildings, and topics include: planning reform and rural design, sustainable approaches to house building, conversion and rehabilitation of traditional buildings, innovative building techniques and understanding settlement patterns.

Among the delegates are representatives from the Princes Foundation, developers, local authority representatives from across the Highlands & Islands, and architects and builders from Orkney.

The programme features a tour of Orkney to look at examples of housing in the countryside, and training and workshops for Councillors discussing issues such as design principles for public buildings and sustainable architecture.

Speaking ahead of the event Orkney Islands Council Convener Stephen Hagan said: "We're very pleased to have planning experts and officials from the Scottish Government, award winning Scottish architects and Highlands and Islands local authorities here, along with elected members, to share ideas and expertise on a wide range of planning and design issues.

"Orkney Islands Council is about to start on a substantial programme of building schools and health care facilities and council houses, so it’s also a very good time to be focussing on the importance of quality public architecture and sustainable approaches to buildings."

(GK/KMcA)