Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 24 November 2020 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 20 October 2020.

4.  Major Development Update
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/043/20 (Plans pp 1 - 5) 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: Erection of whisky maturation warehouses, cask filling and disgorging facility with associated tank farm, tanker filling bay, welfare facilities and car park (20/03919/PAN) (PLN/044/20)
Ward: 7
Applicant: The Glenmorangie Company
Site Address: Land 700 m NW of Tower View, Fearn.                                               

5.2 Description: Erection of grid stability facility with ancillary works including access, parking, landscaping and grid connection (20/04223/PAN) (PLN/045/20)
Ward: 2
Applicant: WP Grid Services Ltd
Site Address: Land East of Thurso South Substation, Geiselittle, Thurso, KW14 8YH.

5.3   Description: Formation of development platform and erection of 132 kV switching station and associated development including switchgear building, site access, SUDS and drainage, security fencing, temporary compound and landscaping (20/04299/PAN) (PLN/046/20)
Ward: 3
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc
Site Address: Land 500 m West of Philips Mains, Mey.

6.  Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/047/20 to PLN/051/20 by the Acting Head of Development Management – Highland which are as follows:-

6.1  Applicant: Ben Sca Wind Farm Limited (20/00013/FUL) (PLN/047/20)
Location: Land 2800 m SW of Edinbane Primary School, Edinbane, Isle of Skye  (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Installation and operation of up to 7 (previously 9) wind turbines with maximum blade tip height of 135 m and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Grant.

6.2 Applicant: Bells Seafoods Ltd (20/01245/FUL) (PLN/048/20)
Location: Unit 3, Seafood Park, Scrabster, Thurso, KW14 7UJ (Ward 2).
Nature of Development: Erection of extension to building.
Recommendation: Refuse.

6.3 Applicant:  Rebecca Main (20/03592/FUL) (PLN/049/20)
Location: Kirkton Bay House, Kirkton, Glenelg (Ward 5).
Nature of Development: Erection of annexe to main house for use as bed and breakfast rooms.
Recommendation: Grant.

6.4  Applicant: Glen Homes (Scotland) Ltd (20/03090/FUL) (PLN/050/20)
Location: Development Site at The Maltings, Wards Drive, Muir of Ord (Ward 8).
Nature of Development: Erection of houses on plots 22 to 29 with amended finished floor levels (Amendment to 16/02703/FUL - Erection of eight houses (amendment from three blocks of flats)).
Recommendation: Grant.  

6.5  Applicant: Andy Brand and Struan Mackie (20/03370/FUL) (PLN/051/20)
Location: Unit 1, Murkle House, 23 Forss Business and Energy Park, Forss, Thurso (Ward 2).
Nature of Development: External alterations and partial change of use of building from Class 4 (Business) to Class 5 (General Industrial) (Distillery).
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: The Scottish Salmon Company (19/01413/FUL) (PPA-270-2217)
Location: North Aird, Ardheslaig, Loch Shieldaig (Ward 5)
Nature of Development:  Marine Fish Farm – Atlantic salmon; new site consisting of 4 x 100 metre circumference circular cages. 

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to allow the appeal and to grant planning permission subject to the conditions contained in the Decision Letter.

7.2  Applicant: SMECH Properties Limited (19/03181/FUL) (PPA-270-2231)
Location: Land to North West of Corriehallie, Glebe Road, Inverinate, Kyle, IV40 8HD (Ward 5)
Nature of Development:  Erection of lodge house, formation of access and installation of drainage system.

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to allow the appeal and to grant planning permission subject to the conditions contained in the Decision Letter following the signing and registering or recording of a planning obligation under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, or some suitable alternative arrangement, to secure a financial contribution being made towards offsite affordable housing provision.