Agendas, reports and minutes

ITEM

NO

DECISION

ACTION

1

Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

Apologies for absence were received from Mr C Fraser and Mr A Sinclair.

N/A

2

Declarations of Interest
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt

Item 5.1: Mr D Mackay (on the grounds that he has made public his views on wind farm applications within Caithness)

N/A

3

Confirmation of Minutes
Dearbhadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There had been submitted for confirmation as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 November 2019 which were APPROVED.

N/A

4

Major Development Update
Iarrtasan Mòra

There had been circulated Report No PLN/001/20 by the Acting Head of Development Management - Highland providing an update on progress of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination. 

Members were advised:

• Lochluichart Wind Farm Extension II had been submitted as a major application however, the scheme has been reduced taking it under the major threshold meaning it can now be determined under delegated powers. Members were asked if they had any issues as regards this – no issues raised.
• 3 new wind farm applications had been lodged since the committee report had been prepared as follows:

Ben Sca Wind Farm, Near Edinbane,10 – Eilean A Cheo, 20/00013/FUL - Anticipate Determination August 2020   

Slickly Wind Farm, North of Lyth (within Stroupster Forest), 03 – Wick and East Caithness, 19/05624/FUL - Anticipate Determination August 2020

 Bad Fearn Wind Farm, Land to the west of Dunbeath, 03 – Wick and Caithness, 20/00018/FUL - Anticipate Determination August 2020  

The Committee NOTED the current position with these applications.

Dafydd Jones/ Simon Hindson

5

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

5.1

Description: Erection of wind farm and associated infrastructure with overall generating capacity exceeding 20 MW (Drum Hollistan Wind Farm) (19/005043/PAN) (PLN/002/20)
Ward: 2
Applicant: Drum Hollistan Renewables LLP 
Site Address: Land 2215 m SW of Under Keepers Cottage, Sandside, Reay.

Mr D Mackay left the Chamber for this item.

Agreed: to NOTE the submission of the PAN. No additional material considerations raised.

Claire Farmer

6

Planning Applications to be Determined - Hearing
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh – Èisteachd

6.1

Applicant: Organic Sea Harvest (19/03093/FUL) (PLN/003/20) (PLN/092/20)
Location: Land 1520 m NE of Bridgend Cottage, Flodigarry, Portree (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: New marine fish farm for atlantic salmon consisting of 12 x 120 m circumference circular cages in an 80 m mooring grid with associated feed barge.       
Recommendation: Grant.

A pre-determination hearing was held in respect of this item at which the applicant and 4 objectors were present. Parties spoke in support of the application and their representations and were asked questions by members. At the conclusion of the hearing, parties confirmed that they were satisfied with the way the hearing had been conducted.

 Motion by Mr R Bremner seconded by Mr R Gale to refuse the application for the following reasons:

Whilst considering all relevant material considerations both positive and negative in appraising this application, members considered that the application would have an adverse localised visual impact on the special qualities of both the NSA and the SLA when seen from the Flodigarry settlement, road and coastal path, in particular the transitory experience from the western approach and the southern approach to the area both by coastal path and by road and the visual impact of the fish farm on the open and distant sea views, a special quality of the Trotternish National Scenic Area. There being support for this position from SNH who had indicated that the most significant landscape and visual impact will be along the section of coast immediately adjacent to the development “This will erode some of the special qualities of the Trotternish and Tianavaig SLA in that locality”. In members’ view, the extent of these adverse impacts is considered to be contrary to policies 50, 57 and 61 of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan. The overall effect of this development could adversely impact on the people, community, local businesses and local economy. Because of the impacts of the proposal referred to above, the development is not considered to be acceptable.

Amendment: by Ms M Smith seconded by Mr A Rhind to grant the application subject to the conditions contained in report ref PLN/092/19 under exception of condition 1 which is to be re-worded in accordance with report ref PLN/003/20.

Vote:

Motion: 8:

Mr R Bremner, Mrs J Barclay, Mrs I Campbell, Mr M Finlayson, Mr R Gale, Mr D MacKay, Mr D MacLeod and Mrs M Paterson

Amendment: 5

Mr J Gordon, Mrs A MacLean, Mr A Rhind, Mr J Rosie and Mrs M Smith.

Agreed: to REFUSE the application for the following reasons:

Whilst considering all relevant material considerations both positive and negative in appraising this application, members considered that the application would have an adverse localised visual impact on the special qualities of both the NSA and the SLA when seen from the Flodigarry settlement, road and coastal path, in particular the transitory experience from the western approach and the southern approach to the area both by coastal path and by road and the cumulative visual impact from one fish farm to the other on the open and distant sea views, a special quality of the Trotternish national Scenic Area. There being support for this position from SNH who had indicated that the most significant landscape and visual impact will be along the section of coast immediately adjacent to the development “This will erode some of the special qualities of the Trotternish and Tianavaig SLA in that locality”. In members’ view, the extent of these adverse impacts is considered to be contrary to policies 50, 57 and 61 of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan. The overall effect of this development individually and cumulatively with the already consented fish farms to the south could adversely impact on the people, community, local businesses and local economy. Because of the impacts of the proposal referred to above, the development is not considered to be acceptable.

Mark Harvey

7

Continued Item
Cuspairean a' Leantainn

7.1

Applicant: Mr Stuart Reedie (18/01184/FUL) (PLN/004/20) (PLN/067/19)
Location:  Land adjacent to former Stable Building, Robertson House, Greenhill Street, Dingwall (Ward 8).
Nature of Development: Erection of 3 houses.
Recommendation: Approve.

Only the following members were permitted to participate in this continued item: Mr R Bremner, Mrs I Campbell, Ms K Currie, Mr R Gale, Mr D MacKay, Mrs A MacLean, Mr D MacLeod, Mrs M Paterson and Ms M Smith.

A late letter of representation was circulated to members.

Motion: to grant planning permission subject to the conditions contained in report ref PLN/067/19 under exception of conditions 5 and 6 which are re-worded to read as indicated below and additional condition 15 contained in report ref PLN/004/20

Amendment: none

Vote: N/A

Agreed: to GRANT the application subject to: the conditions contained in report ref PLN/067/19 under exception of conditions 5 and 6 which are re-worded to read as follows and additional condition 15 contained in report ref PLN/004/20:

Amended Condition 5:

No development shall commence until such time as the turning head has been marked out on site and an 18 tonne rigid refuse vehicle turned within the marked out area, without encroaching into a 2.5m strip to enable vehicles to park on the opposite side of the access road. Thereafter, no other development shall commence until such time as the turning head has been constructed wholly in accordance with the area marked out, surfaced in a bituminous finish and is available for use, and shall thereafter be retained for this purpose and maintained at the applicant’s expense in perpetuity.

Reason: In the interests of road safety

Amended Condition 6:       

No development shall commence until amended plans showing the car parking, cycle parking and turning head, and the provision of the access ramp for most northerly residential unit, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. Thereafter, none of the residential units hereby approved shall be occupied until such time as the car parking and cycle parking has been provided in full and is available for use.

Reason: In order to ensure that the level of off street parking is adequate, and in order to facilitate the use of a variety of modes of transport.

Susan Hadfield

8

 Planning Applications to be Determined
 Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

8.1

Applicant: Safe As Houses (19/03444/FUL) (PLN/005/20)
Location: The Moorings, Great North Road, Muir of Ord, IV6 7SX (Ward 8).
Nature of Development: Demolition of building and erection of 6 unit assisted care facility.
Recommendation: Grant 

Motion: by Ms M Smith, seconded by Mr K Rosie, to grant the application subject to the conditions contained in the report.

Amendment: None

Vote: N/A

Agreed: to GRANT the application subject to the conditions contained in the report.

Dorothy Stott

The meeting finished at 17:15.