The new designation for Culloden Muir near Inverness now means that within the conservation area, planning permission will be required for a range of developments that would normally be permitted development under planning control including house extensions, satellite dishes, boundary enclosures such as walls and fences, and alteration to windows and doors. Substantial or total demolition of unlisted buildings within the conservation area will also require conservation area consent.

Development will not be prohibited within the area, rather the aim is to make sure it is done sensitively.

Under the existing provisions, Historic Environment Scotland must be consulted on any application for development within the Battlefield Inventory Area, and if they object and Highland Council are still minded to approve, the proposal the case is referred to Scottish Ministers for them to call in the application if they deem it necessary. This provision remains unchanged by the new conservation area designation.

Provost and leader of the City of Inverness, Councillor Helen Carmichael, said: “I am pleased that we now have a conservation and management plan in place that will help to protect one of our most valuable cultural and tourism assets in the Highlands – historic Culloden Battlefield. This will be a working plan that will help guide current and future planners in their decision-making. It will not be static as the Council has a duty to notify the public of any future proposals to preserve or enhance the conservation area.”