The approach gives developers more time to identify suitable land before entering into legal agreements with the assurance that proposed environmental schemes have already been endorsed by the council as being competent and compliant.

Economy and Infrastructure Committee chair, Councillor Ken Gowans, said: “Developers delivering major infrastructure projects often find it challenging to quickly secure sufficient land for their environmental scheme obligations. This can lead to delays in projects starting and often results in sub-optimal biodiversity improvements.

“By endorsing proposed biodiversity enhancement and compensatory planting schemes in advance of planning permission being applied for, we hope to help mitigate delays, minimise negative environmental impacts and deliver the best outcomes possible for our world-class natural environment, whilst giving developers the confidence to enter into early agreements with landowners.”

A Memorandum of Understanding between the council and developers will establish a framework for developers to submit details of a proposed environmental scheme for endorsement in advance of a formal planning application. Once endorsed, the scheme would then be considered competent for the developer to draw down from.

Cllr Gowans added: “Environmental schemes are important for our communities as they ensure that biodiversity is improved when new infrastructure projects are developed. We have a duty to ensure that developers deliver schemes that contribute positively to our natural habitats and ecosystems, but due to the short timeframe between planning permission being granted and project implementation, it can be challenging for developers to fully maximise opportunities for biodiversity enhancement.

“This new approach has the potential to ensure that environmental schemes benefit communities and result in landscape-scale improvements throughout the Highlands. It will also support the council in addressing and mitigating environmental impacts more effectively as part of our commitment to sustainable development.”

Next steps include finalising terms and pre-application fees, establishing a steering group to review and endorse schemes and developing monitoring and reporting structures to track the progress of endorsed environmental schemes.