Committees

A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 at 10.30am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully,

Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive

1. Apologies for Absence
Liesgeulan

2. Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.   Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.   Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. VisitScotland – Presentation and Annual Report
VisitScotland – Taisbeanadh agus Aithisg Bhliadhnail

A presentation will be given by Mr Riddell Graham, VisitScotland Director of Partnerships on VisitScotland’s recent and proposed activity.

VisitScotland has published a summary report on their activities during 2012-13, including reporting on those activities funded by The Highland Council. In recognition of the importance of tourism to all parts of the Highlands, copies of the colour publication will be provided to all 80 Highland Council Members; however, in the meantime, a monochrome copy of the VisitScotland Activities During 2012-13 Newsletter (1444kb pdf) is circulated with this agenda, to accompany VisitScotland’s presentation.

The Committee is asked to note the content of the report and the presentation.

4. Revenue Monitoring Statement to 30 April 2013
Cunntas Buidseat Teachd-a-steach gu 30 An Giblean 2013

There is now circulated Report No. Ped-43-13 (482kb pdf) dated 7 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development commenting on the revenue monitoring for the Service for the first month of the financial year 2013/14, which indicates a forecast balanced position at the year end.

The Committee is asked to note the report.

5. Monitoring of Capital Expenditure to 30 April 2013
Sgrùdadh Caiteachais Calpa gu 30 An Giblean 2013

There is circulated for noting Report No. Ped-30-13 (30kb pdf) dated 26 April 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the expenditure and income to 30 April 2013 for the 2013/14 Capital Programme, including the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.

6. Audit Scotland: Performance Indicators Fourth Quarterly Review 2012/13 
Sgrùdadh Alba: Comharran Dèanadais – Ceathramh Sgrùdadh Ràitheil 2012/13

There is circulated Report No. Ped-31-13 (131kb pdf) dated 1 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development advising Members on the delivery of the Development Management, Building Standards and Development Plans services for the 4th Quarter of 2012/2013 and providing an overview of performance over the whole year.

The Committee is asked to note the encouraging improvements in performance across Development Management, Building Standards and the Development Plans team.

7. Business Gateway
Slighe Gnothachais

There is circulated Report No Ped-32-13 (47kb pdf) dated 26 April2013 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on:

• the Business Gateway contract Performance for the year 2012/13
• the integration of Business Gateway within wider support activity provided by the Highland Council.

The Committee is asked to note:

i.  the Business Gateway core service, its delivery and the wider business
   support provided; and
ii. the performance for the operational year 2012/13.

8. Employability Service
Seirbheisean Cosnaidh

There is circulated for noting Report No. Ped-33-13 (157kb pdf) dated 1 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development setting out the proposed Work Plan and Revenue Budget for the Employability Service in 2013/14.  The Highland Works Youth Action Plan is also attached for noting.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   approve the Employability Service Work Plan and Budget for 2013/14;
ii.  approve £29,500 transitional support to New Start Highland; and
iii. note the Highland Works Youth Employment Action Plan.

9. Highland LEADER Programme
Prògram LEADER na Gàidhealtachd

There is circulated Report No. Ped-34-13 (25kb pdf) dated 30 April 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on the Highland LEADER 2007-13 Programme.  It highlights progress to date and audit issues encountered, and offers a brief comment on a future LEADER programme.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   note the progress achieved and benefits secured with the delivery of the
    current Highland LEADER Programme;
ii.  note the Audit  issues, the level of risk associated with claim eligibility and
    the priority assigned to the mitigating actions; and
iii. agree that efforts continue to ensure that Highland communities benefit
    from a new LEADER  programme in the period 2014-20.

10. Update on National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy
Cunntas as ùr air Frèam Dealbhaidh Nàiseanta 3 agus Poileasaidh Dealbhaidh na h-Alba

There is circulated Report No. Ped-35-13 (501kb pdf) dated 7 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development informing Members of the Main Issues Report for the Third National Planning Framework and Draft Scottish Planning Policy, both of which have recently been published for consultation.  It outlines the key issues raised in the documents that are relevant to the Highland area.  The report also provides an update on the wild land issue for consideration by Committee, further to the minutes of the North Planning Application Committee meeting of 12 February 2013 (item 19(i) below refers).

The closing date for responses is 23 July 2013; the consultation can be found here.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note the publication of the Main Issues Report for the Third National
   Planning Framework and Draft Scottish Planning Policy for consultation and
   that a full response will be reported to the Planning, Environment and
   Development Committee on 14 August 2013; and
ii. agree that, in response to the decision of the North Planning Applications
   Committee at its meeting of 12 February 2013, no letter need be sent to
   Scottish Ministers on the wild land issue in advance of the recently published
   consultation documents on NPF3 and SPP Review being considered and
   responded to by the Council.

11. Highland-wide Local Development Plan – Annual Update on Action Programme 
Plana Leasachadh Ionadail na Gàidhealtachd air Fad – Cunntas Bliadhnail mun Phrògram-gnìomha

Following adoption of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan in April 2012 and Member approval of the accompanying Action Programme in March 2012, there is circulated Report No. Ped-36-13 (pdf) dated 26 April 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the content of the newly updated Action Programme for 2013 (Appendix 1), and informing Members of the progress made to date, whilst seeking continued approval for the ongoing work relating to Development Planning.

The Committee is asked to agree the content of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan Action Programme 2013 update.

12. Planning Appeals – Annual Summary of Decisions
Ath-thagraidhean Dealbhaidh – Geàrr-chunntas Bliadhnail de Cho-dhùnaidhean

There is circulated Report No. Ped-37-13 (156kb pdf) dated 2 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development providing Members with a summary of appeal decisions from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013.  It also seeks Member approval of the revised Planning Appeals Protocol to be followed in cases where an appeal is lodged in respect of an application that has been refused by a Planning Applications Committee contrary to officer recommendation.

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note the decisions on the appeals determined in 2012/13; and
ii. approve the revised Planning Appeals Protocol.

13. Enforcement Charter – Update
Cairt Cur-an-sàs – Cunntas as ùr

There is circulated Report No. Ped-38-13 (2128kb pdf) dated 1 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development presenting the revised version of the Planning Enforcement Charter, which requires to be published and subsequently reviewed by the Highland Council under the terms of Section 27 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. The Charter advises customers of the powers available to the planning service in dealing with planning enforcement matters, its service standards, contact points and how to make a complaint about the service.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   agree to adopt the Charter as set out in Appendix 1 to the report as the
    Council’s statement of planning enforcement policy and procedure;
ii.  note the intention to review the Charter on an annual basis; and
iii. agree that any minor variations or amendments required are delegated to
    the Director of Planning and Development.

14. Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Update
Cunntas as Ùr mu Sgeama Ath-nuadhachaidh Sgìre Ghlèidhteachais

There is circulated Report No. Ped-39-13 (28kb pdf) dated 30 April 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on the delivery of Wick, Pulteneytown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), Dingwall CARS, and the proposed Academy Street, Inverness CARS / Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

The Committee is asked to:

i.  note progress to date with the Wick, Pulteneytown CARS, Dingwall CARS,
   and Inverness CARS/Townscape Heritage Initiative; and
ii. agree that officers continue to work with the HLF on a political resubmission
   for a THI grant for Academy Street, Inverness.

15. Nairn South Strategic Masterplan
Prìomh Phlana Ro-innleachdail Inbhir Narann a Deas

There is circulated Report No. Ped-40-13 (4063kb pdf) dated 1 May 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development detailing the outcomes of consultation on the draft Strategic Masterplan prepared by the Council in relation to land allocated for development to the south of Nairn. Comments received in respect of the consultation are set out in Appendix 2 to the report.  The comments have, where considered appropriate, led to amendments to the Strategic Masterplan (Appendix 1 to the report).

The Committee is asked to approve the Nairn South Strategic Masterplan document as set out in Appendix 1 as a material consideration for development management purposes, with immediate effect.

16. Scottish Government Consultation: The Legislative Framework Governing Allotments
Co-chomhairle Riaghaltas na h-Alba: Am Frèam Reachdail a’ Riaghladh Chuibhreannan-fearainn

There is circulated Report No. Ped-41-13 (62kb pdf) dated 29 April 2013 by the Head of Policy and Performance summarising the Scottish Government’s consultation on the legislative framework governing allotments and asking Members to consider the Council’s draft response, which is set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

The closing date for responses is 24 May 2013; the full consultation can be found here.

The Committee is asked to agree the draft response to the Government’s consultation on the Legislative Framework Governing Allotments at Appendix 1 to the report.

17. Cairngorm Funicular Visitor Management Plan: Outcome of Consultation
Plana Rianachd Luchd-tadhail Rèile-càball a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh: Toradh na Co-chomhairle

There is circulated Report No. Ped-42-13 (409kb pdf) dated 15 April 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development advising that a change to the Cairngorm Funicular Visitor Management Plan (VMP) to allow for access to Carn Gorm from the Top Station by way of guided walk, the so called ‘Walk @ The Top’, has been requested by Cairngorm Mountain Limited.  Following a period of successful trials, Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) advice is that there will be no effect on the integrity of the European site as a result of the proposal.  It is recommended that the Council formally agrees to this permanent change to the VMP.

The Committee is asked to:

i.   note the findings of the consultation and SNH’s advice;
ii.  formally agree to the proposed change to the VMP to allow Cairngorm
    Mountain Ltd to operate the guided walk ‘Walk @ The Top’; and
iii. note that further changes to the VMP may be required in due course.

18. Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership – Minutes
Fòram Ath-bheothachaidh Ghallaibh agus Chataibh a Tuath – Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated for noting the minutes of the Regeneration Partnership Meeting held on 30 November 2012 (34kb pdf).

19. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas

There are circulated separately in Booklet A for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PAC) for:-

i. North PAC 11 and 12 February 2013
ii. South PAC 19 February 2013
iii. North PAC 19 March 2013
iv. South PAC 26 March 2013
v. South PAC 8 April 2013