https://www.gdcc.scot/rss/ Tue, 12 May 2026 12:20:29 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/another-temporary-accesses-to-a835-hvdc-beauly-to-arnis-lot-3-project-12-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/another-temporary-accesses-to-a835-hvdc-beauly-to-arnis-lot-3-project-12-may-2026 Another - adding to the same project as was recieved last week! https://gdcc.scot/news/3-planning-applications-for-the-same-project-6-may-2026The following application was submitted onlineRef Number 26/01685/FUL Application Type Full ApplicationValidation Date 07/05/2026 Grid Reference 255890 875408Expiry Date for lodging Representations 29/05/2026Description of Works Formation of 2no temporary ac Wed, 6 May 2026 15:59:42 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/3-planning-applications-for-the-same-project-6-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/3-planning-applications-for-the-same-project-6-may-2026 Three separate planning applications all notified to GDCC on 6th May 2026 All pertaining to: the formation of temporary access to A835 for HVDC Beauly to Arnis Lot 3 Project The following application was submitted onlineRef Number 26/00650/FUL Application Type Full ApplicationValidation Date 22/04/2026 Grid Reference 238505 870230Expiry Date for lodging Representations 22/05/2026Description of W Wed, 6 May 2026 13:33:21 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-felling-update-6-may-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strathgarve-felling-update-6-may-2026 Following on from previous posts and updates shared at Community Council meetings. This matter has been ongoing since 12th November 2025, when we were first told felling would begin in early December 2025. A significant amount of time has been spent, with extensive email exchanges throughout and a site meeting on November 26th. Initally we were told the felling was tied into the Western Isles HDVC Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:05:51 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strong-communities-respectful-debate-22-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/strong-communities-respectful-debate-22-apr-2026 Across the Highlands, there has long been a strong sense of community, where people may not always agree, but where discussions are grounded in mutual respect and a shared understanding of place. It is therefore deeply concerning to see the tone of online commentary during this election period becoming increasingly hostile. Those standing for election, along with those who support them, are being Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:32:00 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/today-is-power-of-attorney-day-a-first-for-the-uk-22-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/today-is-power-of-attorney-day-a-first-for-the-uk-22-apr-2026 Power of Attorney Day 2026A Step Towards Better Planning for the Future A new UK-wide initiative is shining a light on an issue that affects people of all ages, yet is often overlooked until it is too late. The aim is simple but important: to raise awareness and improve understanding of Power of Attorney, while encouraging more people to put these arrangements in place before they are urgently n Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:43:33 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/uk-government-announce-unlinking-gas-and-electricity-prices-21-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/uk-government-announce-unlinking-gas-and-electricity-prices-21-apr-2026 Government moves to reduce impact of gas prices on electricity bills The UK Government has announced new measures aimed at protecting households from sharp rises in energy bills by reducing the influence of gas prices on electricity costs. At present, the price of electricity is often set by the cost of gas, even though a significant share of the UK’s electricity comes from cheaper renewab Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:02:25 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/further-news-on-the-western-islas-hvdc-link-21-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/further-news-on-the-western-islas-hvdc-link-21-apr-2026 As received this morning 21st April 2026"Please see below the most recent update for the Western Isles HVDC Link Project: RJM will shortly be carrying out essential service verification works within the local area. Following confirmation of the final plant requirements, the works are now expected to commence on 27 April 2026. These checks form part of routine pre‑construction activities to confir Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:15:14 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/election-hustings-2026-meet-your-candidates-20-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/election-hustings-2026-meet-your-candidates-20-apr-2026 With the upcoming Scottish election, local voters in and around Dingwall have an important opportunity to hear directly from candidates standing for election. Two public hustings events are being held locally, giving residents the chance to understand where candidates stand on key issues affecting our communities. What is a Hustings? A hustings is a public meeting where election candidates prese Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:24:10 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/be-a-voice-for-your-community-17-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/be-a-voice-for-your-community-17-apr-2026 Our Community Council is made up of local people who care about where we live. We represent the views of our community on the issues that matter like planning, local services, and protecting our area. We are currently looking for people living within Garve and District CC area to be co-opted onto the Community Council. Since our former Chairman moved from the area;- we’re especially keen t Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:15:40 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/latest-news-on-the-ssens-culvert-replacement-workson-the-a832-17-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/latest-news-on-the-ssens-culvert-replacement-workson-the-a832-17-apr-2026 SSEN Transmission’s Western Isles Mainland Cable contractors will now commence culvert replacement works on Monday 20 April 2026 on the A832 approximately five miles south of Dundonnell. These works had previously been planned to start earlier this year but were slightly delayed and rescheduled. Over the next two to three months, the team will focus on Culverts 5 to 10, as shown on the lo Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:13:02 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/the-5000-question-17-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/the-5000-question-17-apr-2026 How Wind Farm Community Benefit Lost Its Value ... When the Scottish Government introduced guidance in 2014 recommending that onshore wind farms provide £5,000 per megawatt per year in community benefit, it was presented as a fair baseline. The intention was to ensure that communities shared in the value of local renewable energy. More than a decade on, that figure hasn't changed. In real Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:24:25 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/minutes-of-3rd-march-2026-approved-16-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/minutes-of-3rd-march-2026-approved-16-apr-2026 Going forwards we will be adding our Approved Meeting Minutes as an article on our website - this is because we are aware that using the traditional document format is not altogether Accessible for those that use screen readers. We will continue to add the document format to our Minutes Archive which goes back to 1994 and is arranged by year. Minutes of the Garve & District Community Council Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:40:58 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/uk-national-resilience-inquiry-call-for-evidence-14-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/uk-national-resilience-inquiry-call-for-evidence-14-apr-2026 In January 2026, a new House of Lords Select Committee was established to examine one of the most pressing questions facing the UK today: How prepared are we; nationally and locally for the risks ahead? Chaired by Baroness Coussins, the National Resilience Committee has been tasked with exploring how the country anticipates, plans for, and responds to crises. Its work will run throughout 2026, Thu, 9 Apr 2026 00:05:44 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/application-to-build-a-new-33kv-overhead-line-spur-that-will-terminate-at-a-new-33kv/lv-25kva-p https://www.gdcc.scotnews/application-to-build-a-new-33kv-overhead-line-spur-that-will-terminate-at-a-new-33kv/lv-25kva-p This notification was received from The Highland Council in the weekly planning bulletin of Tuesday 8th April 2026.It was validated on 29th January 2026.Unfortunately the expiry date for lodging representations was 19th February 2026 Copied verbatim from the bulletin received. Ref Number 26/00438/S37 Application Type Section 37Validation Date 29/01/2026 Grid Reference 227084 875085Expiry Date f Fri, 3 Apr 2026 17:22:27 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/latest-update-repair-news-check-rail-corner-a835-by-loch-garve-3-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/latest-update-repair-news-check-rail-corner-a835-by-loch-garve-3-apr-2026 UPDATE ON RETAINING WALL REPLACEMENT WORKS ON THE A835 AT GARVE Works continue from Monday 6 AprilSingle lane closure with two-way traffic lights in place until November 2026BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, are set to replace the retaining wall and install new safety barriers on the A835 at Loch Garve. The site is situated a mile south of Garve. The existing temporary traffic mana Fri, 3 Apr 2026 07:51:05 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/update-spittal-to-loch-buidhe-to-beauly-400kv-ohl-connection-ecu00006008-3-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/update-spittal-to-loch-buidhe-to-beauly-400kv-ohl-connection-ecu00006008-3-apr-2026 We have recieved the following by email today - 3rd April 2026 SSEN Transmission - Notice of submission of Additional Information for Section 37 (s37) application to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) for the proposed Spittal to Loch Buidhe to Beauly 400 kV OHL Connection Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc, “the Company”, (registered in Scotland under company registration number SC Wed, 1 Apr 2026 20:24:47 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/powering-communities-to-net-zero-fund-ssen-1-apr-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/powering-communities-to-net-zero-fund-ssen-1-apr-2026 Presentation 1st April 2026 via Teams - notes pertaining The SSE Community Investment team presented the Powering Communities to Net Zero Fund, offering up to £20,000 per project across two categories: Community-led Physical and Environmental Resilience, and Low Carbon Technology. The application deadline is 12 noon on 21 May, with awards expected in August. The fund has £3 million av Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:39:16 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/participate-and-engagement-the-highland-council-strategy-31-mar-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/participate-and-engagement-the-highland-council-strategy-31-mar-2026 The Highland Council has launched an engagement initative about its new Participation and Engagement Strategy. The draft strategy was approved by Communities and Place Committee last November and we are now seeking views on the strategy from individuals and communities. The Highland Council would be grateful if you could take some time to complete the survey and also share it with your own networ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:18:14 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/oil-and-lpg-users-financial-support-31-mar-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/oil-and-lpg-users-financial-support-31-mar-2026 We have had notification from the organisation administering funding help for people using oil and LPG Heating I am writing to confirm the launch of the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme. The scheme aims to support households facing increased costs of oil or LPG for heating and is being administered by Advice Direct Scotland More information will be available on this website homeheatingadvic Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:37:25 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/fuel-poverty-and-housing-in-the-highlands-27-mar-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/fuel-poverty-and-housing-in-the-highlands-27-mar-2026 The last five pages of The Highland Council report, on Climate Change, Energy and Community Resilience focuses on something many households are already feeling every day the cost of heating our homes, many of which built decades ago and don't retain heat well. The report is hot off the press published yesterday 26th March 2026. Across the Highlands, fuel poverty is not a small or isolated issue. Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:43:52 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/community-resilience-in-the-highlands https://www.gdcc.scotnews/community-resilience-in-the-highlands The Highland Council’s report on Climate Change, Energy and Community Resilience, published yesterday 26th March 2026, makes it clear that the challenges facing Highland communities are no longer distant or theoretical. They are happening now and they are expected to intensify over the coming years. Storm damage, flooding, power outages and rising costs are already affecting communities acr Sun, 22 Mar 2026 07:50:38 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/unesco-global-youth-visual-storytelling-capture-the-future-22-mar-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/unesco-global-youth-visual-storytelling-capture-the-future-22-mar-2026 UNESCO has launched a Global Youth Visual Storytelling Initiative called “Capture the Future”, inviting young people aged 18–35 to submit mobile phone photos or short videos that explore the relationship between people and nature within UNESCO Biosphere Reserves around the world. Entries can explore themes such as:• biodiversity and nature conservation• climate change Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:55:21 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/euans-guide-17-mar-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/euans-guide-17-mar-2026 Euan’s Guide is one of Scotland’s quiet success stories, built not by large institutions but by lived experience, determination and a strong sense of community. Founded in 2013 by Euan MacDonald MBE and his sister Kiki, the idea came from a very real and personal challenge. After being diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, Euan became a powerchair user and quickly discovered how difficu Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:22:24 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/holyrood-round-table-rural-communities-speak-out-14-mar-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/holyrood-round-table-rural-communities-speak-out-14-mar-2026 Community Councils from across Scotland gathered in Holyrood, on 24th February 2026, for a landmark round table discussion on the rapid expansion of major energy infrastructure in rural areas. The event brought together representatives from the Highlands, the South of Scotland, the North East and island communities to share their experiences directly with ministers, organisations and fellow commun Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:09:36 GMT https://www.gdcc.scotnews/an-introduction-to-data-centres-11-mar-2026 https://www.gdcc.scotnews/an-introduction-to-data-centres-11-mar-2026 What a data centre actually is and what they are used for. Hear that they are not as water thirsty on cooling as people might have understood.Hear they all have BESS!Apparently Highland would not be a favoured as a go to location for data centres, hear why... This presentation from the Scottish Government - National Planning Improvement Service