This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-45018063

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Scotland's heritage sites need more protection, says NTS Scotland's heritage sites need more protection, says NTS
(35 minutes later)
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has called on the Scottish government to give heritage sites greater protection in new planning legislation.The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has called on the Scottish government to give heritage sites greater protection in new planning legislation.
The charity said Scotland's heritage was threatened by developments such as new housing near Culloden Battlefield and a golf course at Coul Links.The charity said Scotland's heritage was threatened by developments such as new housing near Culloden Battlefield and a golf course at Coul Links.
The government said it was committed to having a planning system that "works for everyone".The government said it was committed to having a planning system that "works for everyone".
Ministers are still considering whether to call-in the Coul Links plan.Ministers are still considering whether to call-in the Coul Links plan.
They have decided to give themselves more time to make a decision on whether or not to call it in.
With the Planning (Scotland) Bill set to enter its second stage at the Scottish Parliament in September, NTS said this was the "ideal time" to revise the current process and build a system that protects heritage for future generations.With the Planning (Scotland) Bill set to enter its second stage at the Scottish Parliament in September, NTS said this was the "ideal time" to revise the current process and build a system that protects heritage for future generations.
It said developments were being given the go-ahead in, or near to, sites protected by designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and has concerns that the protections were being seen as meaningless.It said developments were being given the go-ahead in, or near to, sites protected by designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and has concerns that the protections were being seen as meaningless.
The trust said four new development applications have been submitted for sites at Culloden.The trust said four new development applications have been submitted for sites at Culloden.
'Short-term gain''Short-term gain'
Simon Skinner, NTS' chief executive, said: "Culloden and the Coul Links are just two examples of a worrying trend: Scotland's heritage is too often being cast aside for short-term economic gain.Simon Skinner, NTS' chief executive, said: "Culloden and the Coul Links are just two examples of a worrying trend: Scotland's heritage is too often being cast aside for short-term economic gain.
"Four years ago, we argued for a planning framework which has the long-term wellbeing of our heritage sites built into it."Four years ago, we argued for a planning framework which has the long-term wellbeing of our heritage sites built into it.
"That can only be achieved by overhauling the current diffuse focus on individual planning applications in isolation."That can only be achieved by overhauling the current diffuse focus on individual planning applications in isolation.
"Now is the time to make that change.""Now is the time to make that change."
In June, Highland councillors voted to grant planning permission for the controversial Coul Links golf course.In June, Highland councillors voted to grant planning permission for the controversial Coul Links golf course.
Part of the 18-hole championship course near Embo in Sutherland would be on a Site of Special Scientific Interest.Part of the 18-hole championship course near Embo in Sutherland would be on a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Council officials had recommended that councillors refuse planning permission.Council officials had recommended that councillors refuse planning permission.
The developers of the course welcomed the vote, while opponents want Scottish ministers to call-in the project for further scrutiny.The developers of the course welcomed the vote, while opponents want Scottish ministers to call-in the project for further scrutiny.
'Special significance''Special significance'
In May, the design and layout for 16 homes opposed by a campaign set up to protect Culloden Battlefield were given planning permission by councillors.In May, the design and layout for 16 homes opposed by a campaign set up to protect Culloden Battlefield were given planning permission by councillors.
Highland Council's environment, development and infrastructure committee backed the plans by 12 votes to eight.Highland Council's environment, development and infrastructure committee backed the plans by 12 votes to eight.
The original application for the homes was refused planning permission by Highland Council.The original application for the homes was refused planning permission by Highland Council.
The developers appealed and planning permission was granted by a Scottish government-appointed official in 2014.The developers appealed and planning permission was granted by a Scottish government-appointed official in 2014.
In its response to NTS' call, the Scottish government said: "The primary responsibility for dealing with planning applications rests with the local planning authority.In its response to NTS' call, the Scottish government said: "The primary responsibility for dealing with planning applications rests with the local planning authority.
"We're committed to ensuring we have a planning system that works for everyone, recognises the special significance of sites and ensures local communities have a say in their future.""We're committed to ensuring we have a planning system that works for everyone, recognises the special significance of sites and ensures local communities have a say in their future."