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 Tuesday, 12 September 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 9 August 2023.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/060/23 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: The proposed development comprises the siting of approximately 64 battery storage enclosures, associated power conversion units and transformers, substations, hardstanding area, telecommunications equipment, fencing, vehicular access, grid connection and ancillary works (23/03641/PAN) (PLN/061/23)
Ward: 06 – Cromarty Firth    
Applicant: Res Group 
Site Address: Land 410M NE Of The Smithy Alness.

5.2 
Description: Provision of circa 80 no dwelling houses with associated services and outdoor recreation areas (23/03896/PAN) (PLN/062/23)
Ward: 06 – Cromarty Firth
Applicant: Capstone Connect And Highland Council
Site Address: Land 190M East Of House Of Rosskeen, Invergordon.

6. Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/063/20 to PLN/068/20 by the Area Planning Manager - North which are as follows:-

6.1 
Applicant: Gledfield Highland Estate Ltd (21/05786/FUL) (PLN/063/23)
Location: Land 150M NE Of Gledfield Farm Cottage, Ardgay (Ward 01). 
Nature of Development: Development of 47 holiday lodges, conversion and extension of existing building to form spa, gym, offices, restaurant and ancillary facilities, car parking and access.
Recommendation: GRANT

6.2 
Applicant: Mr Roddy Mackenzie (22/05563/FUL) (PLN/064/23)
Location: Land 100M SW Of 27 Melvaig (Ward 05).
Nature of Development: Erection of house and two short term holiday letting units and the formation of the access track
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
6.3 
Applicant: Dornoch Distillery Company Ltd (22/06107/FUL) (PLN/065/23)
Location: Land 40M SW Of Dornoch Health Centre, Shore Road, Dornoch (Ward 04).
Nature of Development: Erection of distillery and associated warehousing and visitor centre (as amended).
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
6.4  
Applicant: WildLand Limited (22/06112/FUL) (PLN/066/23)
Location: Land 130NE Of St Andrew's Church, Tongue (Ward 01).
Nature of Development: Health and Social Care Hub including a 15 bed care home, integrated care team administrative base, GP surgery and associated roads, landscaping, garden, paths and infrastructure with relocated junction to A838 and alterations to the access road, parking, yard and landscaping at Tongue Fire Station.
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
6.5 
Applicant: Renewable Energy Transmission Ltd (23/01446/FUL) (PLN/0067/23)
Location: Land 1570M East of Collie Mhuiridh, Applecross (Ward 05).
Nature of Development: Installation and operation of approximately 26km of underground 33kv electricity cable and associated infrastructure between the Allt na Moine hydro scheme powerhouse at Lonbain, Applecross and the fish farm at Kishorn base.
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
6.6  
Applicant: Springfield Properties PLC (23/01749/FUL) (PLN/068/23)
Location: Land 120M North Of Glenburn, Station Road, Dornoch (Ward 04).
Nature of Development: Remix of House Types in Phase 4.
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: Energikontor UK Limited (22/02442/FUL) (PLN/069/23)
Location: Land at Torr Leathann, Strathrory, Ardross, Alness, IV17 (Ward 06)
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 35 years comprising a total of 7 wind turbines with turbines 1, 2, 3 and 5 having a max blade tip height of 180m, turbine 4 max 160m, and turbines 6 and 7 max 149.9m; battery storage system, access tracks, borrow pit, substation, control building and ancillary infrastructure

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.