Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 8 June 2021 at 10.00 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 April 2021.

4.  Major Development Update 
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/034/21 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: Mixed use development comprising a new primary school, up to 15 affordable homes, community playing field and ancillary infrastructure (21/01819/PAN) (PLN/035/21)
Ward: 6
Applicant: The Highland Council
Site Address: Land 370 m NE of Cromlet House, Cromlet Drive, Invergordon.

5.2 Description: Mixed use development comprising a new primary school, residential units, community playing field and ancillary infrastructure (21/01860/PAN) (PLN/036/21)
Ward: 10
Applicant: The Highland Council
Site Address: Dunvegan Primary School, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, IV55 8GU.

5.3 Description: Cryobattery storage facility with capacity up to 49.9 mW (21/01948/PAN) (PLN/037/21)
Ward: 3
Applicant: Highview Power  
Site Address: Spittal Mains Quarry, Spittal, Wick, KW1 5XR.

6. Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/038/21 to PLN/045/21 by the Acting Head of Development Management – Highland which are as follows:-

6.1  Applicant: EnergieKontor UK Ltd (20/00584/FUL) (PLN/038/21)
Location: Strathrory Wind Farm (Ward 6).
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 35 years, comprising of 7 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9 m, access tracks, borrow pits, substation, control building, and ancillary infrastructure
Recommendation: Grant.

6.2  Applicant: Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd and Broadland Properties Ltd (20/01682/FUL) (PLN/039/21)
Location: Land 100 m East of Rogie Hill, Park Brae, Munlochy (Ward 9).
Nature of Development: Erection of 32 houses.
Recommendation: Grant.  

6.3  Applicant: Mr Laurence Begg (21/00458/FUL) (PLN/040/21)
Location: 9 Market Street, Thurso, KW14 8BB (Ward 2).
Nature of Development: Installation of external wall insulation.
Recommendation: Refuse. 

6.4  Applicant:  WP Grid Services Limited (21/00610/FUL) (PLN/041/21)
Location: Thurso South Substation, Geiselittle, Thurso, KW14 8YH (Ward 2).
Nature of Development: Erection of grid stability facility including grid stability unit, ancillary equipment, access, landscaping, drainage, car parking and enclosures.
Recommendation: Grant.

6.5  Applicant: DSRL, Dounreay Nuclear Research Establishment (21/01087/S42) (PLN/042/21)
Location: Dounreay Nuclear Research Establishment, Dounreay, Thurso (Ward 2).
Nature of Development: Section 42 application to release condition 21 of planning application 06/00373/FULCA for the import of material.
Recommendation: Grant.

6.6 Applicant: Mr H Cromarty (21/01173/PIP) (PLN/043/21)
Location: Land 75 m NE of Brackla Wood, Culbokie (Ward 9).
Nature of Development: Erection of house.
Recommendation: Refuse.

6.7  Applicant: SSE Generation Limited (20/03481/S36) (PLN/044/21)
Location: Strathy South Wind Farm (Ward 1).
Nature of Development: Application under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to vary the consented Strathy South Wind Farm to increase the blade tip height from 135 m to up to 200 m and increase maximum consented output from 133 MW to 208 MW
Recommendation: Raise no objection subject to conditions and mitigation as set out in section 11 of the report.

6.8  Applicant: Slickly Wind Farm Ltd (19/05624/FUL) (PLN/045/21)
Location: Land 1650 m East of Slickly Croft, Lyth, Wick (Ward 3).
Nature of Development: 11 wind turbines up to 149.9 m blade tip height and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Refuse.  

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:  Lynsey Mowat (20/04325/LBC) (LBA-270-2011)
Location: Vendale, Latheronwheel, Wick, KW5 6DW (Ward 3)
Nature of Development:  amendment to 20/01334/LBC to include a balcony. 

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter, appointed by Scottish Ministers, to allow the appeal and to grant listed building consent.