Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 31 July 2019 at 10.30 am.

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

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 item before this Committee they must be present throughout the whole of that item in order to be entitled to participate.

Members are further reminded that mobile devices, including mobile phones, can be used for following the agenda/reports and delivering speeches but should not be used for any form of communication (text or tweet) during the meeting.

Yours faithfully

Karen Lyons, Principal Solicitor – Planning
(for Head of Corporate Governance)

1.  Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

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.  Confirmation of Minutes
Dearbhadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There are submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee held on 4 June 2019.

4.  Major Development Update
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/056/19 by the Acting Head of Development Management – Highland which, provides a summary of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination and identifies those proposed applications which have Proposal of Application Notice (PAN). The report also details progress on proposals submitted under S36 or S37 of the Electricity Act 1989 on which the Council is consulted.

The Committee is invited to note the current position of these applications.

5.  Major Developments – Pre-application consultations 
Leasachaidhean Mòra – Co-chomhairle Ro-iarrtais

5.1 Description: Bad Fearn Wind Farm – comprising of up to 10 turbines and associated infrastructure, with tip heights of up to 200 m, and an installed capacity of up to 49.9 mW, including associated electrical infrastructure (19/02649/PAN) (PLN/057/19)
Ward: 3
Applicant: EnergieKontor UK Ltd
Site Address: Land at Braemore Road, Dunbeath.

6.  Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/058/19 to PLN/062/19 by the Area Planning Manager (North) which are as follows:-

6.1  Applicant: Albyn Housing Society (18/01883/MSC) (PLN/058/19)
Location: Land 200 m, SE of Alness Academy, Alness (Ward 6).
Nature of Development: Erection of housing development, road network and associated infrastructure to provide 115 houses (45 houses, Phases 5A and 5B and 70 serviced plots).
Recommendation: Approve matters specified.  

6.2 Applicant: Scottish Salmon Company (18/04819/FUL) (PLN/059/19)
Location: West Strome, Lochcarron (Ward 5).
Nature of Development: Marine fish farm – installation and operation of an Atlantic salmon fish farm adjacent to the existing Strome farm – consisting of 16 circular pens each 100 m circumference and an accompanying feed-barge.
Recommendation: Grant.

6.3  Applicant: Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd (19/00168/S42) (PLN/060/19)
Location: Tor Leathan Quarry, Ardross, Alness (Ward 6).
Nature of Development: Application under Section 42 to amend condition 3 of planning permission 02/00941/FULRC to increase maximum output in calendar year 2019.
Recommendation: Grant.  

6.4 Applicant: SSE Generation Limited (19/00775/S36) (PLN/061/19)
Location: Land 3610 m NE of Ascoile, Gordonbush, Brora (Ward 4).
Nature of Development: Section 36C application – amendment to consented Gordonbush extension (reduction in number of turbines from 15 to a maximum of 11 and increase in tip height to a maximum of 149.9 m.
Recommendation: Raise no objection.

6.5 Applicant: The Scottish Salmon Company (19/01413/FUL) (PLN/062/19)
Location: North Aird, Ardheslaig, Loch Shieldaig (Ward 5).
Nature of Development: Marine fish farm – Atlantic salmon: new site consisting of 4 x 100 m circumference circular cages.
Recommendation: Grant.  

7.  Decision of Appeals to the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division
Co-dhùnadh mu Iarrtas do Bhuidheann-stiùiridh Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson Lùth agus Atharrachadh Aimsir

7.1 Applicant: Limekiln Wind Limited (16/02752/S36) (WIN-270-8) 
Location: Limekilns Estate, Reay
Nature of Development: Proposed erection of 24 wind turbines (9 turbines at 126 m to blade tip and 15 turbines at 139 m to blade tip) and associated infrastructure at the Limekiln Estate with a generating capacity of up to 72 MW (Limekilns Wind Farm)

The Committee is invited to note the decision of Scottish Ministers to grant consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed planning permission under section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 subject to the conditions contained in the decision letter.

7.2 Applicant: Drum Hollistan Renewables LLP (16/04987/S36) (WIN-270-9)
Location: Land 2215M SW Of Under Keepers Cottage, Sandside, Reay
Nature of Development: Erection of 17 turbine wind farm (Drum Hollistan Wind Farm)

The Committee is invited to note the decision of Scottish Ministers to refuse consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and deemed planning permission under section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 for the reasons contained in the decision letter.

7.3 Applicant: Richard Drummond (19/00243/FUL) (PPA-270-2211) 
Location: Quay Street, Ullapool, IV26 2UE.
Nature of Development: Painting of stone boundary wall (part retrospective)

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter to allow the appeal and grant planning permission subject to the following condition:

White paintwork shall be applied to the wall as highlighted in red on the ‘existing site plan’ and shall be maintained as such in perpetuity.

Reason: in order to define the permission and to safeguard the ongoing character and appearance of the Ullapool Conservation Area.