Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is set to host a one-day Sustainable Construction Conference in Inverness on Wednesday 9 May.

The key objective of the conference is to raise awareness of the sustainability issues and business opportunities emerging from the public sector's drive towards more environmentally sustainable practices in meeting their construction requirements.

Taking place from 9am to 4.30pm at the Drumossie Hotel, the conference programme includes a line-up of speakers from the public sector, construction industry and architectural field, as well as case studies and question and answer sessions.

Divided into three distinct areas, the forward-looking event will focus on the need to employ a 'greener' approach when it comes to public sector construction.

In addition to discussing the legislative drivers for change in the public sector, issues surrounding local planning, new housing, skills, procurement and sustainability ratings will all be addressed.

Confirmed speakers include Richard Hartland, Highland Council's head of planning and building standards; Amanda Gallagher from BRE (Building Research Establishment) Scotland; and Gokay Deveci, the Croatian architect behind one of Europe's most energy efficient social housing projects built to date - A'Chrannag Tower (Gaelic for Crow's Nest) in Rothesay.

Director of area operations for HIE, Douglas Yule, is chairing the conference. He said: "This event is tremendously important and timely. Climate change concerns us all and the challenge of constructing more environmentally sustainable buildings is something that the public sector must embrace.

"The conference brings together a range of people with a stake in sustainable construction, from planners and community representatives to architects, builders and construction companies. Essentially, the conference is providing a forum for discussion about the way forward in sustainable construction, an area in which HIE is eager to take a lead role."

Over 150 delegates from the construction industry are expected to attend the event.

There are a limited number of places left and interested firms, or people working in a construction-related business, can register interest at: www.hiesustainableconstruction.co.uk

Link to conference details on this site.