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, 15 June 2022 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.  Appointment of Chair
Suidheachadh de Chathraiche

2.  Appointment of Vice Chair
Cur Iar-Chathraiche an Dreuchd

The meeting will adjourn between Items 2 and 3 for 15 minutes to allow the new Chair and Vice Chair to familiarise themselves with the meeting procedures and protocols.

3.  Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

4.  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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

5.  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 26 May 2022.

6.  Major Development Update 
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/040/22 (Plans pp 1 - 10) 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.

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

7.1 Description: Erection and operation of a hydrogen electrolyser plant, hydrogen storage, control room, access road and ancillary infrastructure (22/01584/PAN) (PLN/041/22)
Ward: 4
Applicant: SSE Generation
Site Address: Gordonbush Wind Farm, By Moulin Cottage, Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6LX

7.2 Description: Erection of a 21 mW wind farm comprising 5 Enercon E115 wind turbines rated at 4.2 mW [replace existing consent for 4 Enercon E82 wind turbines at Beinn Mheadhonach (18/03214/FUL modified by 20/04065/S42)] (22/01644/PAN) (PLN/042/22)
Ward: 10
Applicant: Wind Harvest Ltd
Site Address: Land 1600 m NE of Summardale Croft, Struan.

7.3 Description: Mixed use development comprising up to 250 residential units, community uses, business/tourism uses, open space and ancillary infrastructure (22/01716/PAN) (PLN/043/22)
Ward: 7.
Applicant: Cairngorm Properties Ltd
Site Address: Land at Knockbreck Farm and Burgage Farm, Knockbreck Road, Tain.

7.4 Description: Proposed mixed use development including up to 75 residential units and 1.3 ha allocated for business use, with all associated infrastructure, open space and landscaping (22/02037/PAN) (PLN/044/22)
Ward: 8.
Applicant: Tulloch Homes Ltd
Site Address: Land South of Riverford Farmhouse, Conon Bridge.

8.  Planning Applications to be Determined 
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/045/22 to PLN/048/22 by the Acting Head of Development Management – Highland which are as follows:-

8.1 Applicant: Mowi Scotland Ltd (21/05582/FUL) (PLN/045/22)
Location: Loch Hourn, Arnisdale (Ward 5).
Nature of Development: Modification to equipment and biomass.  Reduction in number of pens from 12 x 120m circumference pens (and 1 x 100 m circumference pen) to 8 x 160 m circumference pens.  Proposed biomass increase and relocation of existing feed barge
Recommendation: Grant.

8.2 Applicant: Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association (21/05962/PIP) (PLN/046/22)
Location: Land 380 m NE of Portree NHS Dental Clinic, Sraid An Eorna, Portree, Skye (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Mixed use development comprising up to 248 residential units, business unit, community shop, care village, landscaping and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Grant.

8.3  Applicant: 3A Partnership Ltd (22/000465/FUL) (PLN/047/22)
Location: Land opposite Rose Croft, Balvaird Road, Muir of Ord (Ward 8).
Nature of Development: Erection of 3 houses.
Recommendation: Grant.  

8.4 Applicant: Highland Council (22/01126/PIP) (PLN/048/22)
Location: Land 15 m NW of 16 Peffery Road, Dingwall (Ward 8).
Nature of Development: Meiklefield Redevelopment Masterplan - Demolition of 114 residential units and erection of 117 residential units and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Grant.

9.  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         

9.1 Applicant: Mr Metawie (21/02473/FUL) (PPA-270-2261)
Location: Hamara, Coolin Drive, Portree, IV51 9DN (Ward 10)
Nature of Development: Erection of one (previously two) holiday letting units. 

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 six conditions detailed at the end of the decision notice.

9.2  Applicant: Mr Metawie (21/02473/FUL) (PPA-270-2261)
Location: Hamara, Coolin Drive, Portree, IV51 9DN (Ward 10)
Nature of Development: Erection of one (previously two) holiday letting units.
Claim for expenses against the decision by The Highland Council (item 9.1 refers). 

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to decline the expenses claim.

9.3  Applicant: Drum Hollistan Renewables LLP (20/00645/FUL) (PPA-270-2238)
Location: Land 2215 metres South West of Under Keepers Cottage, Sandside, Reay, KW14 8AJ (Ward 2)
Nature of Development: Development of wind farm, known as Drum Hollistan 2 Wind Farm, comprising 7 turbines with a maximum blade tip of 125 metres and associated infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter to dismiss the appeal and to refuse to grant planning permission for the reasons given in the decision notice.

9.4 Applicant:  (20/01905/S36) (WIN-270-13)
Location: Limekiln Wind Farm Extension, South East of Reay, Caithness, KW14 7QY  (Ward 2)
Nature of Development: Construction and operation of an extension to Limekiln Wind farm comprising of up to 5 wind turbines and associated infrastructure.

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the 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 referred to in the decision notice.