NORTHWEST 2045 VISION UNVEILED!

 

We have launched our ambitious 25-year vision for the future of the North West Highlands.

​

The vision aims to:

​

• Make the North West Highlands an attractive place to live and work 

• Build towards a diverse and sustainable local economy

• Empower communities to shape their own future

​​

In an extensive consultation with local people across the region, the Northwest2045 project has agreed six shared goals to turn that vision into a reality:

​

1. Affordable housing for young people and families

2. High speed broadband access for all

3. Rural hubs to support businesses, homeworking and delivery of services

4. A healthy food scheme based on local produce 

5. A new Regional Land Use Partnership to support green economic recovery

6. New forms of local democracy to give communities a greater role in decision-making.

​​

Since March 2020, a diverse team of volunteers, paid professionals and young local interviewers have been working with communities from Coigach up to Durness and round the North coast to Bettyhill to help develop this shared vision for the area. The consultation carried out online and in person, where restrictions allowed, attracted the attention of one in ten North West residents. It included an open survey which attracted 250 responses; a young person’s survey attracted 90 responses; in depth interviews with 65 people and four online community workshops for residents in Coigach, Assynt, Kinlochbervie and Tongue.

​

We plan to build strong foundations over the next 5 years, with support from key partners, from which we can evolve strategies and plans to meet our long-term aims to 2045.

​

Over the next weeks, months and years we want to continue to engage with communities to give everyone who lives in the North West Highlands the opportunity to make sure their voices heard and help shape the future of our area together. Please download the vision document below and let us know what you think!

​

A longer version will soon be available on this page for those who want to dig into the consultation results a bit further.