Support to develop your project

The guidance and resources below are here to help you further develop your project. In this section, you'll find information on services that you can contact to request support for developing your project. You'll also find a variety of other self-help resources, such as guidance on finding evidence for your project and tips on writing a detailed project budget. Finally, you'll find support and key considerations for projects involving land and buildings.

 

Highland Third Sector Interface 

Highland Third Sector Interface support voluntary and community organisations in Highland. Offering capacity building, funding advice, training and networking opportunities. 

Here you can find out about the range of support services offered by the HighlandThird Sector Interface.

 

Highland & Islands Climate Hub 

• Support for developing your project so that it contributes to a climate ready and resilient Highland. For an informal conversation on how to do this, email the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub at: enquiries@hiclimatehub.co.uk

 

Other support resources

• The Social Enterprise Support Map is for community groups, third sector organisations, social enterprises and social entrepreneurs. It can help you find organisations and initiatives that support you with development, finance, learning, networking, policy, and information. The Social Enterprise Support Map allows anyone to navigate this landscape easily and efficiently – giving organisations and individuals the resources to become stronger and more sustainable.

Support for projects involving land and building 

Does your community group or organisation own the land where your project will be located? 

These resources could help you understand who owns the land and if there are restrictions on the land:

• mygov.scot: Help with title deeds 
• register of Scotland: Find a Property Title Sheet 
• Who Owns Scotland: Land Ownership Map 
• Crofting Commission: Register of Crofts 
• Register of Scotland: Crofting Register 
• Land rights - SSEN

 

Are you looking to acquire an asset for your community?

These resources will help you understand more about asset transfers, community buy-outs and how to develop your project to give it the best chance of success:

• Community Asset Transfer | Highland Council
• Community Land Scotland: Information About Community Ownership (Community Buyout) 
• Development Trusts Association Scotland: Community Ownership Support Service 

 

Do you have planning permission for your project?  

You’ll probably need planning permission if you want to:

• build something new
• make a major change to your building, such as building an extension
• change the use of your building

Check out the councils planning guidance pages for advice:

• Highland Council: Planning guidance

 

Have you considered accessibility issues for your community building?

You must take all reasonable steps to make your community building accessible. This factsheet on accessibility has been produced by Community Places to provide an introduction to accessibility issues for the management committees of community buildings:

• Factsheet - Accessibility and Community Buildings

 

Have you considered the following transport and utility connections?

These resources could help you find information about connections for your project:

• Openreach: Registering your site 
• New electricity connections - SSEN
• Scottish Water: Pre-Development Enquiry 
• Transport Scotland

 

Are there any known environmental issues? 

These resources could help you understand if there are any known environmental issues:

• SEPA: Flood Maps 
• NatureScot: Designated Protected Areas 
• Highland Council: Tree Preservation Orders 
• Scotland's soils: Peatland Map 

 

If your project intends to develop housing, please contact: devplans@highland.gov.uk