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 9 August 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 

Karen Lyons, Principal Solicitor – Planning 
(for Head of Legal and 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 
North Planning Applications Committee held on 7 June 2023.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/049/23 by the Area Planning 
Manager - North which, provides a summary of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination. 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: 37MW Battery Energy Storage System (23/02826/PAN) (PLN/050/23)
Ward: 2 – Thurso and Northwest Caithness
Applicant: Ylem Energy Ltd 
Site Address: Land 590M NE of Isauld Cottage, Reay.

6. Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/051/23 to PLN/056/20 by the Area Planning Manager - North which are as follows:-

6.1 
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Innes (22/02645/FUL) (PLN/051/23)
Location: Land 75m SW of Heights of Kilcoy, Muir of Ord (Ward 08).
Nature of Development: Erection of three holiday lodges and associated shared facilities 
for short term let (tourist) holiday accommodation.
Recommendation: GRANT

6.2 
Applicant: Seaboard Memorial Hall Ltd. (23/02242/FUL) (PLN/052/23)
Location: Seaboard Hall And Community Centre, East Street, Balintore, IV20 1UA (Ward 07).
Nature of Development: Extension to Coastal Sculpture Park.
Recommendation: GRANT

6.3 
Applicant: Gresham House (23/02726/S42) (PLN/053/23)
Location: Land At Wathegar, Bilbster, Wick (Ward 03).
Nature of Development: Application for non-compliance with Condition 2 (duration of temporary wind farm operational period) of planning permission 10/00042/FULCA (Wathegar Wind Farm Erection of 5 wind turbines with a maximum height of 101m to blade tip, associated infrastructure, and formation of vehicle access).
Recommendation: GRANT

6.4 
Applicant: Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Limited (23/01517/S36) (PLN/054/23)
Location: Creag Riabhach, Lairg (Ward 01).
Nature of Development: S36 Variation to extend operational life from 25 years to 40 years (14/00004/S36).
Recommendation: RAISE NO OBJECTION

6.5 
Applicant: Mr Dan Corrigal (23/00805/FUL) (PLN/055/23)
Location: Land 10M NE Of Shop, 1 Douglas Row, Quay Street, Portree (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Temporary siting of cabin.
Recommendation: REFUSE

6.6 
Applicant: Campbell Dickson (23/01144/FUL) (PLN/056/23)
Location: Portree Hotel, Somerled Square, Portree IV51 9EH (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Retention of outdoor seating area (previous permission 20/02709/FUL).
Recommendation: REFUSE

7.Decisions by Scottish Ministers and Reporters appointed by the Scottish Government      
Co-dhùnaidhean le Ministearan na h-Alba agus Luchd-aithisg air an cur an dreuchd le Riaghaltas na h-Alba

7.1 
Applicant: Mr Colin Smith (21/05563/FUL) (PLN/056/23)
Location: Land 30M SW Of Ocala, Oldwick, Wick (Ward 03)
Nature of Development: Erection of a block of single storey semi-detached houses

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

7.2 
Applicant: Mr T Campbell (22/02879/FUL) (PLN/057/23)
Location: Windrill, Drumsmittal, North Kessock, Inverness, IV1 3XF (Ward 09)
Nature of Development: erection of extension, formation of integral self-contained unit, erection of shed and retrospective installation of skate park (ancillary use to main dwelling)

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 nine conditions listed in the notice

7.3 
Applicant: Meall Buidhe Renewables LLP (20/02659/FUL (PLN/058/23)
Location: Meall Buidhe Wind Farm, Land 4420M Nw Of Croick Estate , Ardgay, IV27 (Ward 01)
Nature of Development:  Erection Of And Operation Of A Wind Farm For A Period Of 25 Years Comprising Of 8 Wind Turbines Access Tracks, Substation, Control Building, And Ancillary Infrastructure With A Maximum Output Of 40 Megawatts   

The Committee is invited to note the Reporter’s decision to allow the appeal and grant planning permission subject to the conditions listed in the decision notice.

7.4 
Applicant: Kirkan Wind Farm Limited (19/01861/S36) (PLN/059/23)
Location: Land 3015M SE Of Aultguish Inn Garve (Ward 05)
Nature of Development:  Kirkan Wind Farm - Construction of wind farm comprising of 17 turbines (height to hub 104m, height to blade tip 175m), associated access tracks, borrow pits, compounds, substation and 104m high met mast

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Scottish Ministers to grant consent under s36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and grant deemed planning permission subject to the conditions listed in the decision notice.