Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee will take place remotely on Tuesday, 8 February 2022 at 9.30 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

Iain Meredith, Acting Principal Solicitor
(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 South Planning Applications Committee held on 14 December 2021.

4.    Major Development Update
    Iarrtasan Mòra

    There is circulated Report No PLS/01/22 by the Area Planning Manager - South, which provides a summary of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination.

    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: Residential development comprising up to 165 residential units and associated infrastructure. (21/05714/PAN) (PLS/02/22)
Ward: 19
Applicant: Mrs Mary M Duncan
Site Address: Land at Inches Farm, Inshes, Inverness, IV2 5BB.

5.2 
Description: Battery Energy Storage Facility comprising up to 50 energy storage containers with a total storage capacity of up to 49.9MW, control building, transformers, switchgear and ancillary infrastructure (21/06018/PAN) (PLS/03/22)
Ward: 18
Applicant: Whirlwind Energy Storage Ltd
Site Address: Land 300M SE Of Househill House, Househill Nairn
    
5.3 
Description: Phased re-development of Culloden Academy comprising replacement of school buildings, sports facilities and car parking, phased site plans included in this submission. (21/05771/PAN) (PLS/04/22)
Ward: 17
Applicant: The Highland Council 
Site Address: Culloden Academy, Keppoch Road, Culloden, Inverness IV2 7JZ.

6.    Planning Applications to be Determined
    Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/05/22 to PLS/11/22 by the Area Planning Manager – South which are as follows:-

6.1
Applicant: Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) (21/01521/S36) (PLS/05/22)
Location: Land 2.8KM SE Of Little Lyne, Glenferness. (Ward 18)
Nature of Development: Cairn Duhie Wind Farm Redesign - Erection and operation of wind farm for a period of 35 years, comprising of 16 wind turbines with maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, borrow pits, switching station, substation, control building, temporary construction compound, battery storage infrastructure, and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: Raise no objection.
    
6.2
Applicant: SSE Generation Limited (21/04080/S36) (PLS/06/22)
Location: Glenmoriston Estate, North of Levishie, Invermoriston. (Ward 12)
Nature of Development: Bhlaraidh wind farm extension - Erection and Operation of Wind Farm for period of 50 years, comprising of 18 Wind Turbines with maximum blade tip height 180m, access tracks, borrow pits, substation, control building, and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: Raise no objection.
    
6.3 
Applicant: The Highland Council Housing (21/04703/MSC) (PLS/07/22)
Location: Land 370M SE Of Balloch Farm, Cherry Park, Balloch, Inverness. (Ward 17)
Nature of Development: Matters Specified in Conditions 2 (Design and Layout), 3 (Access), 7 (Drainage), 10 (Waste), 13 (Car Parking), 14 (Cycle Parking), 17 (Archaeology), 18 (Arboricultural Impact), 19 (Landscaping), 20 (Strategic Landscaping), 21 (Watercourse Buffer), 22 (Roads Mitigation), 23 (Electric Vehicle Charging), and 29 (Public Art) of Planning Permission in Principle 19/04213/PIP for the Erection of 49 Residential Units.
Recommendation: Approve.
    
6.4 
Applicant: Link Group Ltd (21/02989/MSC) (PLS/08/22)
Location: Land 130M East of 77 Lochaber Road, Upper Achintore, Fort William. (Ward 21)
Nature of Development: Submission of Matters Specified in Condition 2 (Siting, Design and Layout) of Planning Permission in Principle 19/00897/PIP - Erection of 27 residential units and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Approve.
    
6.5 
Applicant: Ardnamurchan Estate (21/00161/FUL) (PLS/09/22)
Location: Land 320M SE Of Beinn Bhreac, Acharacle. (Ward 21)
Nature of Development:     Installation of a floating pier, formation of timber transfer area and access track.
Recommendation: Grant.
    
6.6 
Applicant: Miss Bonny Watkins (21/01623/FUL) (PLS/10/22)
Location: Bonnys Wonderland, 20A Ben Nevis Drive, Ben Nevis Industrial Estate, Fort William, PH33 6RU. (Ward 21)
Nature of Development: Change of Use to Class 1 (beauty salon) on first floor of Unit (Retrospective).
Recommendation: Grant.
    
6.7 
Applicant: Ms Elspeth Rainy Brown (21/03710/FUL) (PLS/11/22)
Location: Land 225M SE of The Lade, Cromdale. (Ward 20)
Nature of Development: Erection of house, storage shed, upgrade of access, siting of 3 glamping pods.
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: Vento Ludens Limited  (PPA-270-2253) (20/05073/FUL)
    Location: Land 2,180 metres SE of Challenger Lodge, Tomich, Cannich (Ward 12)
    Nature of Development:  Temporary siting (5 years) of a meteorological mast.  

    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to allow the appeal and grant planning permission subject to the six conditions listed at the end of the decision notice.
     
    7.2 
    Applicant: Inverness Paving Ltd (PPA-270-2241) (20/01728/FUL)
    Location: Treetop Stables, Feabuie, Culloden Moor, Inverness, IV2 5EQ (Ward 19)
Nature of Development: Change of use from Equestrian Centre to holiday, leisure and hospitality facilities including 13 lodges, café/shop, reception, laundry and restaurant. To save resources, the full report can be accessed using the eplanning search facility: 21/00009/REFIN - LINK

    The Committee is invited to note:

a.    the decision of the Scottish Ministers to disagree with the Reporter’s recommendation to allow the appeal, and to refuse planning permission, for the reasons given in the report; and
b.    the decision of the Scottish Ministers to agree with the Reporter’s reasoning and conclusion and accept the recommendation that the Council has not acted in an unreasonable manner and should not be liable for expenses incurred.  

 
    7.3 
    Applicant: Mr Mark Hornby, MRH Design (PPA-270-2239) (20/04611/FUL)
    Location: Land 120 metres south-west of Culchunaig Farmhouse, Westhill, Inverness (Ward 19)
    Nature of Development:  Change of use and conversion of steading to form private dwelling.  
    
    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Scottish Ministers accept the Reporter’s recommendation that planning permission should be granted subject to conditions.  A copy of the notice of decision is enclosed. To save resources, the report can be accessed using the eplanning search facility: 21/00003/REFIN - LINK

    7.4 
    Applicant: Miss Lynne Cordiner (PPA-270-2257) (21/02073/FUL)
    Location: 5 West Heather Road, Inverness, IV2 4WS (Ward 15)
    Nature of Development:  conversion of existing garage to form ancillary 
    accommodation.  

    The Committee is invited to note:

a.    the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to allow the appeal and grant planning permission; and
b.    the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers that the council has not acted in an unreasonable manner resulting in liability for expenses and to decline to make any award.

7.5 
    Applicant: Salar Ali (ENA-270-2036) (20/00378/ENF)
    Location: Cherry House Caravan, Farr, Inverness IV2 6XG (Ward 12)
    Nature of Development:  The unauthorised engineering of the land to form a hardstanding and an access to the C1068 classified road and the siting upon the land of a static caravan and sheds without the required planning permission.  
    
    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to dismiss the appeal and direct that the enforcement notice dated 7 May 2021 be upheld.