Plans for investment in Thurso will also move ahead as council members noted 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 there. The Stage 3 outcome will be reported to the council meeting in June 2025.

The Highland Investment Plan (HIP) commits £2.1bn of capital funding over a 20-year period to tackle the major challenges that Highland Council faces with transport and roads, ageing depots, offices, schools and community facilities across Highland communities.

A series of engagement events have been held to consider priorities for the Dingwall and Seaforth area, and opportunities for better use of buildings and co-location. The initial feedback has been generally supportive of the longer-term strategic approach and the concept of a community POD, as well as the need for facilities to support tourism. Relocating the Primary School to a larger site would allow other co-located facilities to be included as part of an overall design layout.

Highland Council 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.

“Plans are also underway for developing investment options for a community POD in Thurso which will greatly improve the school infrastructure and local services as well as present opportunities for much needed inward investment in this community.”

Convener Bill Lobban said: “Both Dingwall and Thurso face similar challenges to other parts of Highland, including reduced commercial presence and outward migration. The ongoing collaborative process with residents, businesses and partners is essential to inform the development of potential solutions which could make best use of local assets and improve service delivery, ensuring effective and more accessible services to meet local community needs and help to sustain these important communities.”

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.