Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquart Road, Inverness, on Wednesday, 8 February 2023, 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

Claire McArthur, 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 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.

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 13 December 2023.

4.    Major Development Update
    Iarrtasan Mòra

    There is circulated Report No PLS/01/23 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: Erection and operation of new substation comprising platform area, associated plant and infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown area(s), access road and landscape works, and extension to existing Foyers switching station comprising platform area, associated plant and infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown area(s), access road and landscape works (22/04455/PAN) (PLS/02/23)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc 
Site Address: Land 265M North of Foyers Power Station, Foyer.

5.2
Description: Erection and operation of battery energy storage system with a storage capacity of up to 30MW and associated infrastructure (22/04463/PAN) (PLS/03/23)
Ward: 18
Applicant: Anesco
Site Address: Land South Of Blackpark House, Nairn.

5.3 
Description: Erection and operation of extension to the Knocknagael Substation comprising new platform area, associated plant and infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown area(s), access roads and landscape works (22/05451/PAN) (PLS/04/23)
Ward: 15
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc
Site Address: Knocknagael Substation, Essich Road, Inverness.

6.    Continued Item
Cuspairean a' Leantainn 
    
    6.1 
    Applicant: Corriegarth 2 Windfarm Ltd (21/00101/S36) (PLS/05/23)
    Location: Land At Carn Na Saobhaidhe, Gorthleck, Inverness (Ward 12).
    Nature of Development: Erection and Operation of a Wind Farm for a period of 30 years, comprising of 16 Wind Turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, borrow pits,          substation, control building, and ancillary infrastructure.
    Recommendation: Raise No Objection. 

7.    Planning Applications to be Determined
    Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/06/23 to PLS/16/23 by the Area Planning Manager – South which are as follows:-
    
7.1
Applicant: Mr R MacGregor (22/02939/FUL) (PLS/06/23)
Location: Land 230M NW Of Sealladh Na Coille, Achnabobane, Spean Bridge, PH34 4EX. (Ward 11)
Nature of Development: Erection of house and garage.
Recommendation: Refuse.
    
7.2 
Applicant: Nan Clach Extension Limited  (22/01732/S36) (PLS/07/23)
Location: Tom Nan Clach Wind Farm, Glenferness. (Ward 18)
Nature of Development: Erection and Operation of a Wind Farm for a period of 40 years, comprising of 7 Wind Turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, borrow pits, battery energy storage compound substation, control building, and ancillary infrastructure..
Recommendation: Raise No Objection.
    
7.3 
Applicant: Places for People Developments Ltd (22/02825/MSC) (PLS/08/23)
Location: Land North East Of Tornagrain, Dalcross. (Ward 17)
Nature of Development: Matters specified in conditions 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), 2(e), 2(f), 2(g), 2(h), 2(k), 2(l), 2(m), 2(o), 2(p), 2(q), 2(s), 2(t), 2(u), 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 23, and 25 of planning permission in principle 16/05725/S42 - Erection of 68 residential units, associated landscaping, open space, infrastructure and services.
Recommendation: Approve.        
7.4 
Applicant: Whirlwind Energy Storage Limited (22/03638/FUL) (PLS/09/23)
Location: Land 300M SE Of Househill House, Househill, Nairn. (Ward 18)
Nature of Development: Construction and operation of a battery energy storage facility consisting of up to 50 containerised battery storage units, ancillary transformers and inverters, connection building, site office and store, fencing and landscaping.
Recommendation: Grant.
    
7.5 
Applicant: Tarmac Caledonian Ltd (21/05886/FUL) (PLS/10/23)
Location: Park Quarry, Nairn. (Ward 18)
Nature of Development: Park Quarry Extension to allow the extraction, processing and dispatch of hard rock for a period of 30 years, restoration of the site and landscaping.
Recommendation: Grant.

7.6 
Applicant: The Highland Council (22/03954/FUL) (PLS/11/23)
Location: Northern Meeting Park, Ardross Street, Inverness. (Ward 13)
Nature of Development: Erection of community pavilion and refurbishment of existing grandstand.
Recommendation: Grant.
    .
7.7
Applicant: The Highland Council (22/03958/LBC) (PLS/12/23)
Location: Northern Meeting Park, Ardross Street, Inverness. (Ward 13)
Nature of Development: Refurbishment of grandstand, internal alterations, demolition of toilet block extension and kitchen.
Recommendation: Grant.
 
7.8 
Applicant: The Highland Council (22/03922/FUL) (PLS/13/23)
Location: Town House car park, Castle Street, Inverness (Ward 14)
Nature of Development: Change of use and alteration of former public toilet building to form Sustainable Energy Centre, with associated improvement of adjacent public realm.
Recommendation: Grant.
    
7.9 
Applicant: Mrs A Findlay and Mrs C Scott (22/00433/FUL) (PLS/14/23)
Location: Balvattan Beag, Boat of Garten, PH24 3BX. (Ward 20)
Nature of Development: Erection of holiday accommodation annex.
Recommendation: Grant.
    
7.10 
Applicant: Rural House Ltd (22/05047/FUL) (PLS/15/23)
Location: Land 120M East Of 125 Balmacaan Road, Drumnadrochit. (Ward 12)
Nature of Development: Erection of house.
Recommendation: Grant.
    
7.11 
Applicant: Sir James Horlick (22/01289/PIP) (PLS/16/23)
Location: Land 80M South of Achnagonalin, Inchmore, Kirkhill. (Ward 12)
Nature of Development: Erection of up to 16No. residential units, drainage, access.
Recommendation: Grant.