Committees

A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 18 September 2013.

8.30 a.m.: Transport departs Council Headquarters, Inverness, to transport Members to Nairn for a site inspection in respect of Item 3.

9.00 a.m.: Site inspection convenes at the Links Car Park, Cumming Street, Nairn.

11.00 a.m., or on completion of site inspection, whichever is the later: Committee meeting reconvenes in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Inverness.

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.

Members are reminded that, during determination of any planning application before this Committee, they must be present throughout the whole of that item, including any related site visit, in order to be entitled to participate.

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. Notice of Amendment (Planning) – Planning Application (11/04355/FUL) 
    Brath Atharrachaidh (Dealbhadh) – Iarrtas Dealbhaidh (11/04355/FUL)

Residential development comprising 319 units (232 houses and 87 flats) and associated infrastructure and public open space on land at Cawdor Road, Nairn South, Nairn (Ward 19), for Scotia Homes Ltd, Barratt North East Scotland and Robertson Homes.

The South Planning Applications Committee (SPAC) granted planning consent for the above application at its meeting on 22 August 2012.  The following Notice of Amendment was then received on 23 August 2012:

“Scotia Homes Ltd, Barratt North East Scotland and Robertson Homes (11/04355/FUL).

Location: Land at Cawdor Road, Nairn South, Nairn (Ward 19)
Nature of Development: Residential development consisting of 319 units (232 houses and 87 flats) and associated infrastructure and public open space.

At its meeting on Tuesday 20 August 2013 the South Planning Applications Committee of the Council agreed to grant planning permission in respect of the application referred to above subject to matters being secured by s75 agreement and subject to conditions.

We, the undersigned, being members of the Committee and elected members of the Highland Council, hereby declare our wish that this decision be subject of a Notice of Amendment (Planning) in accordance with Standing Order 10(4) and be reconsidered at a forthcoming meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee of the Council.

Signed: Mr J Gray, Mr C Macaulay, Mr D Fallows, Ms J Slater, Mr H Wood, Mr F Parr, Mr R Balfour, Mr J Ford, Mr T Prag, Mr M Green.”

In this context, there is circulated Report No. PED-53-13 (53kb pdf) dated 26 August 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the current position and asking Members to grant planning permission subject to the recommendation set out in Appendix 1 (4401kb pdf) to the Report.  Appendix 1 comprises the earlier report previously considered by the South Planning Applications Committee (SPAC) on 20 August 2013, updated as explained.

Representations received are circulated at Appendix 2 (708kb pdf).  A Masterplan for Nairn South was approved by the PED Committee on 15 May 2013 and is a material planning consideration; this is circulated at Appendix 3 (2132kb pdf), along with a copy of the report that went to the PED Committee in May.  A copy of Nairn South Community Council’s response to the Masterplan is circulated at Appendix 4 (304kb pdf).   The relevant extract of the draft Minutes of the SPAC Committee held on 20 August 2013 is circulated at Appendix 5 (44kb pdf).

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the content of the Report and take this into consideration on its decision on the planning application; and
ii. agree to grant planning permission subject to the recommendation within the Report in Appendix 1.

4. Presentation by Nevis Partnership
    Taisbeanadh le Com-pàirteachas Nibheis

A presentation will be given by Mr John Hutchinson, Executive Director, Nevis Partnership, and Mr T Semple, Development Manager, Nevis Landscape Partnership, on the work of the Partnership.

The Committee is asked to note the presentation.

5. Revenue Monitoring Statement to 31 July 2013
    Cunntas Buidseat Teachd-a-steach gu 31 Iuchar 2013

There is circulated Report No. PED-54-13 (39kb pdf) dated 6 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development commenting on the Revenue Monitoring Statement for the period to the end of July 2013 and forecasting a budget under-spend of £0.664m at the year end.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the monitoring report to the end of July 2013; and
ii. agree the management action which has been taken to date.

6. Monitoring of Capital Expenditure to 31 July 2013
    Sgrùdadh Caiteachais Calpa gu 31 Iuchar 2013

There is circulated for noting Report No. PED-55-13 (pdf) dated 6 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the expenditure and income to 31 July 2013 for the 2012/13 capital programme.  An update on Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) expenditure is also provided.

7. Planning & Development Service - Service Plan 2013/14
    Seirbheis Dealbhaidh agus Leasachaidh – Plana Seirbheis 2013/14

There is circulated Report No. PED-56-13 (346kb pdf) dated 6 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the enabling actions and the key performance results which will deliver the Programme for the Highland Council, and the statutory and core functions of the Planning and Development Service, including the Single Outcome Agreement.  The draft Service Plan is circulated at Appendix 1.

The Committee is asked to:

i. consider the draft Planning and Development Service - Service Plan 2013/17; and
ii. approve the draft Plan subject to any alterations agreed by Committee.

8. Lochaber Tourism BID (Business Improvement District)
    Sgìre Leasachadh Gnothachais Turasachd Loch Abar

There is circulated Report No. PED-57-13 (57kb pdf) dated 2 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development offering a formal assessment of the Lochaber Tourism Business Improvement District proposal relative to the Council’s right of veto in accordance with the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Business Improvement Districts (Scotland) Regulations 2007.

The Committee is asked to approve the assessment made in Appendix 1 relative to the Lochaber BID proposal and agree not to exercise the Council’s right of veto.

9. Employability Service
    Seirbheisean Cosnaidh

There is circulated Report No. PED-58-13 (20kb pdf) dated 2 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development updating Members on Employability Services activity during 2013/14 and 2014/15 and setting out budget proposals to manage this activity over both financial years prior to the introduction of the new 2014 - 2020 European Programmes.

The Committee is asked to agree that a request be made to the Finance, Housing and Resources Committee that £400k from the 2013/14 Employability budget is earmarked for use in 2014/15 to sustain employability activity during the period when there is no match funding remaining from the 2007-2014 European Social Fund.  The final earmarked figure will be revised at year end and reported to Committee.

10. Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan  
      Plana Leasachadh Ionadail Linne Mhoireibh A-staigh a Thathar a’ Moladh

There is circulated Report No. PED-59-13 (222kb pdf) dated 9 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development presenting the Inner Moray Firth Proposed Local Development Plan (Appendix 1 – Booklet A) for approval as the Council’s settled position on the land use planning framework for the Inner Moray Firth area.  The Proposed Plan includes a vision and spatial strategy for the area, and details of the locations and types of development considered to be suitable to deliver that vision.  Members are asked to approve the Proposed Plan to enable a 6 week public consultation.  The Proposed Plan is accompanied by an Action Programme at Appendix 2 that sets out actions required to deliver the developments and policies in the Plan.

This Proposed Plan has been informed by comments received during the Main Issues Report consultation that was held last year.  A summary of these comments and the proposed Council responses to these (Appendix 3) is available on the Council’s website here and also in the Members’ library.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the comments received on the Main Issues Report and the proposed responses as set out in Appendix 3;
ii. agreed the Proposed Plan and Action Programme as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 for a 6 week public consultation, subject to minor post-Committee changes including formatting, typographic and illustrative amendments agreed in consultation with the Chair of this Committee; and
iii. acknowledge that, as the settled view of the Council, the Proposed Plan as approved will be treated as a material planning consideration for development management purposes as of 18 September 2013.

11. Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief
      Brath-leasachaidh Thòrr Bheathain agus Taobh Nis

There is circulated Report No. PED-60-13 (33kb pdf) dated 26 August 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development seeking a decision to statutorily adopt and issue the Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief (1277kb pdf) (Appendix 1 – Booklet B) as Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.  This is in exercise of powers delegated to the Planning, Environment and Development Committee by Full Council at its meeting on 13 December 2012.

Members are reminded that the City of Inverness and Area Committee approved the Development Brief for its interest at its meeting held on 12 August 2013.

The Committee is asked to agree to statutorily adopt and issue the Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief as Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan.

12. Rural Fuel Rebate Pilot Scheme Extension
      Leudachadh Sgeama Pìolait Ais-phàigheadh Connadh Dùthchail

There is circulated Report No. PED-61-13 (99kb pdf) dated 28 August 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development bringing Members up to date with UK Government proposals to extend the Rural Fuel Rebate Scheme to remote rural service stations in the Highlands. The report asks Members to homologate the submission made to HM Treasury on behalf of the Council, attached as an Appendix to the report.

The Committee is asked to:

i. welcome the proposal to extend the rural fuel rebate scheme to the Highland mainland; and
ii. homologate the submission sent to HM Treasury, as contained in Appendix 1 of this report.

13. Land Reform Update and Work Programme
      Fios as Ùr agus Prògram Obrach Ath-leasachadh Fearainn

There is circulated Report No. PED-62-13 (161kb pdf) dated 9 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development summarising the Council’s recent contributions in support of land reform in the Highlands.  It also introduces the Government’s new target for community ownership and a recent UK Scottish Affairs Committee briefing paper.  The paper then proposes a short term work programme undertaken jointly with Community Land Scotland, which will influence the final report of the Land Reform Review Group and increase awareness of the benefits of land reform.

The Committee is asked to:

i. note the extent of Council involvement in supporting land reform in the Highlands (Appendices 1 and 2);
ii. approve the proposed autumn seminar themed around the Government’s additional 500,000 acre target;
iii. approve the request from Community Land Scotland for financial support and partnership for the delivery of 8 community seminars and the provision of practical advice and guidance to community groups during 2013/14 and 2014/15; and
iv. agree to seek a meeting with the authors of the UK Scottish Affairs Committee briefing paper to discuss their vision for land reform in Scotland.

14. EFF Axis 4 – Highland FLAG – Progress
      EFF Aisil 4 – FLAG na Gàidhealtachd - Adhartas

There is circulated Report No. PED-63-13 (167kb pdf) dated 3 September 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development providing an update on the delivery of the Axis 4 European Fisheries Fund (EFF) in the Highlands. The Committee is invited to consider the report and to:

i. note the good progress being made on the delivery of the EFF Axis 4 Fund in Highland;
ii. agree that the Council explore the possibility of securing additional EFF funding from Marine Scotland on behalf of the Highland FLAG and that this be delegated to the Director of Planning and Development in consultation with the Committee Chair; and
iii. note that a further report on progress will be presented to Committee in January 2014.

15. Inverness Airport Business Park – Annual Report
      Pàirc Ghnothachais Port-adhair Inbhir Nis – Aithisg Bhliadhnail

There is circulated for noting Report No. PED-64-13 (23kb pdf) dated 22 August 2013 by the Director of Planning and Development providing Members with updated information on the current financial position of Inverness Airport Business Park Limited.

16. Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas Com-pàirteachas Ath-bheothachaidh Ghallaibh
      agus Chataibh a Tuath

There are circulated for noting minutes of the meeting of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Forum held on 11 June 2013 (128kb pdf).

17. Minutes
      Geàrr-chunntas

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

i. North PAC 18 June, 2013
ii. South PAC 25 June, 2013