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 6 December 2023 at 10.00 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 1 November 2023.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/077/23 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: Ben Sca Redesign Wind Farm - Erection and Operation of a Wind Farm for a period of 40 years, comprising of 9 Wind Turbines with a maximum blade tip height 149.9m, access tracks, borrow pits, substation, control building, and ancillary infrastructure (amendment to the consented Ben Sca and Ben Sca Extension Wind Farms) (23/04717/PAN) (PLN/078/23)
Ward: 10 – Eilean A’ Cheò
Applicant: Ben Sca Wind Farm Limited
Site Address: Land 2800M SW Of Edinbane Primary School, Edinbane, Isle Of Skye

5.2 
Description: Development of a Battery Energy Storage System with a capacity of 49.9MW consisting of battery storage containers, electrical control building, transformers, security fencing, CCTV, access, landscaping and associated works. (22/06244/PAN) (PLN/079/23)
Ward: 02 – Thurso and North West Caithness
Applicant: Ecocel Energy (Storage) Ltd
Site Address: Land 500M east of Glengolly Farmhouse, Thurso

5.3 
Description: Grid connected battery energy storage facility of up to 200MW, comprising of electrical equipment including batteries, access track, transmission compound, switchgear, control buildings, stores, fencing, security, landscaping, parking, and ancillary structures. (23/03736/PAN) (PLN/080/23)
Ward: 05 – Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh
Applicant: Isenau Energy Storage Recourses Four Limited
Site Address: Land 700m east of Ardachy, Lochluichart, Garve

5.4 
Description: Swarclett Wind Farm - erection and operation of a wind farm, comprising 2 turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, battery storage and ancillary infrastructure. (23/03944/PAN) (PLN/081/23)
Ward: 02 – Thurso and North West Caithness
Applicant: Swarclett Wind Energy Limited
Site Address: Land 975M SE of Mains of Durran Castletown.

5.5 
Description: Extension of existing wind farm at Lochend to encompass a further 21 MW of wind generation capacity through 5 wind turbines each of up to 149.9 m to tip height, plus battery energy storage. Related infrastructure including circa 1.5 km of access track and turbine foundations. (23/04748/PAN) (PLN/082/23)
Ward: 02 – Thurso and North West Caithness
Applicant: The Highland Council 
Site Address: Land 600M NE Of 10 Lochend Holding, Barrock, Caithness

6. Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/083/20 to PLN/089/20 by the Area Planning Manager - North which are as follows:-

6.1  
Applicant: Intelligent Land Investments Group Plc (22/05167/FUL) (PLN/083/23)
Location: Land 260M SW Of Alness Grid Sub Station, Mid Balnacraig, Alness (Ward 06). 
Nature of Development: Battery energy storage facility comprising access track, compound of battery and electrical equipment, meter building, stores, fencing, security cameras and landscaping.
Recommendation: GRANT

6.2 
Applicant: Communities for Coul Ltd (23/00580/FUL) (PLN/084/23)
Location: Land 1700M NW Of Embo Community Centre, School Street, Embo (Ward 04).
Nature of Development: Construction of an 18-hole golf course, practice area, access, parking, ancillary infrastructure and the change of use of existing buildings to form clubhouse, pro shop, maintenance shed and ancillary facilities.
Recommendation: REFUSE 
     
6.3 
Applicant: Colliemore Farms Ltd (22/04757/FUL) (PLN/085/23)
Location: Land 100M NW Of Wester Coillemore Riding Centre, Invergordon (Ward 06).
Nature of Development: Erection of 3 warehouses and shed with associated access.
Recommendation: REFUSE
     
6.4 
Applicant: ITP Energised (23/02320/S36) (PLN/086/23)
Location: Land 1500M SW Of Melvich (Ward 01).
Nature of Development: Melvich Wind Energy Hub.
Recommendation: RAISE OBJECTION

6.5  
Applicant: J Waters Paint & Wallpaper (23/02275/FUL) (PLN/087/23)
Location: 15 Riverside Place, Thurso, KW14 8BZ (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Erection of extension and change of use from derelict house to paint shop (amendment to previous approval ref: 21/01384/FUL).  (In retrospect).  Installation of solar panels.
Recommendation: REFUSE
     
6.6 
Applicant: J Waters Paint & Wallpaper (23/02276/LBC) (PLN/088/23)
Location: 15 Riverside Place, Thurso, KW14 8BZ (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Erection of extension and change of use from derelict house to paint shop (amendment to previous approval ref: 21/01637/LBC).(In retrospect).  Installation of solar panels.
Recommendation: REFUSE 
     
6.7 
Applicant: Mr Ruraidh Cameron Stewart (23/04610/FUL) (PLN/089/23)
Location: Land 55M NE Of Willowbank The Square Balmacara (Ward 05).
Nature of Development: Change of use of croft land to a caravan site with 7 stances for holiday use, associated roads, parking, drainage and water connections.
Recommendation: REFUSE  

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: Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (21/00826/S36) (PLN/090/23)
Location: Land 3450M North Of Kintradwell Lodge Brora (Ward 4)
Nature of Development: Kintradwell Wind Farm - Erection and Operation of a Wind Farm in perpetuity, comprising of 15 No. Wind Turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, borrow pits, battery storage infrastructure, switching station, substation, control building, and ancillary infrastructure.  

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Scottish Ministers to refuse consent under s36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the reasons indicated in the enclosed decision letter.