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 30 January 2024 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:- 
i.   North Planning Applications Committee held on 6 December 2023; and 
ii.  Special Meeting of the North Planning applications Committee held on 17 January 2024.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/002/24 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: Construction of vertical launch spaceport with launch operations
control centre, site integration facility, launch pad complex, antenna
park, access road, fencing, services and associated infrastructure.
(23/05374/PAN) (PLN/003/24)
Ward: 01 - North, West And Central Sutherland
Applicant: Sutherland Spaceport Ltd. 
Site Address: Land 2600M SW of Dunbuie Talmine Tongue.

5.2  
Description: The construction and operation of a battery energy storage unit with a maximum installed capacity of 49.9 Megawatts consisting of up to 50 energy storage units and associated electrical equipment sited on a hardstanding within a fenced compound surrounded by peripheral screening landscaping, designed to deliver a net gain in biodiversity. (23/05455/PAN) (PLN/004/24)
Ward: 02 – Thurso and North West Caithness
Applicant: Whirlwind Renewables
Site Address: Land 530M South of Geiselittle Farm, Thurso.

5.3 
Description: Ackron Farm - The Proposed Development will comprise of 11 turbines with maximum tip heights of 200m, a battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated access and ancillary infrastructure (23/05499/PAN) (PLN/005/24)
Ward: 01 –North West and Central Sutherland
Applicant: Ackron Windfarm 
Site Address: Land 1575M NE Of Ackron Farm, Golval, Forsinard.

6.Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/006/20 to PLN/018/20 by the Area Planninf Manager - North which are as follows:-

6.1 
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (23/00070/FUL) (PLN/006/24)
Location: Land 1120m West of Glenvicaskill, Balmeanach, Struan (Ward 10). 
Nature of Development: Extension of Edinbane Substation including creation of substation platform, substation buildings, SUDS basin, realignment of track, formation of access junction, temporary construction compound, landscaping and other ancillary works.
Recommendation: GRANT 

6.2 
Applicant: Kirkton Energy Farm Ltd (22/05533/S36) (PLN/007/24)
Location: Land 1800m SW of Kirkton Cemetery, Melvich (Ward 01).
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of a wind farm comprising of 11 wind turbines of up to 149.9m blade tip height, battery energy storage system, access tracks, substation, control building, 2 borrow pits, temporary construction compound and associated development for a period of 30 years.
Recommendation: RAISE AN OBJECTION 
     
6.3  
Applicant: Highland Wind Limited (23/05263/S36) (PLN/008/24)
Location: Development Site 9KM NW Of Dounreay Nuclear Research Establishment, Dounreay (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Pentland Offshore Wind Farm redesign - Erection and Operation of an offshore floating wind farm for a period of 25 years, comprising up to 6 floating wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 300m, associated floating substructures with mooring lines and anchors / piles, inter-array cables, 2 export cables, landfall, and associated scour and cable protection measures.
Recommendation: RAISE NO OBJECTION 
     
6.4   
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC (23/05019/S37) (PLN/009/24)
Location: Land 1170M SE Of Tressady, 104 Toroboll, Lairg (Ward 01).
Nature of Development: Installation of 3no 132 kV downleads connecting associated underground cable into the existing 132 kV overhead line with ancillary infrastructure including a cable sealing end compound (CSEC), bellmouth access, temporary laydown and construction area..
Recommendation: RAISE NO OBJECTION 
     
6.5  
Applicant: Abbey Properties Cambridgeshire Limited (20/04455/FUL) (PLN/010/24)
Location: Wind Farm Borrowstone Mains, Forss, Thurso (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Forss III Wind Farm - Erection and operation of one turbine with a max tip height of 100m, access tracks, sub-station, transformer unit and ancillary infrastructure
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
6.6 
There will follow report PLN/011/24
     
6.7 
Applicant: Mr & Mr Roderick & Stuart Thomas (23/00731/FUL) (PLN/012/24)
Location: Land To East Of 7 Balmeanach, The Braes, Portree (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Erection of 2no dwelling houses and associated works
Recommendation: APPROVE
     
6.8  
Applicant: Mrs Queenie Wu (23/03565/FUL) (PLN/013/24)
Location: Land 20M NE Of Presbyterian Church Staffin Road Portree Isle Of Skye (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Erection of 2 holiday letting units.
Recommendation: APPROVE 

6.9 
Applicant: Mrs Maureen Davison (23/04440/FUL) (PLN/014/24)
Location: 3 Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle Of Skye IV55 8ZT (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Siting of cabin for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the croft (retrospective).
Recommendation: APPROVE 

6.10 
Applicant: Mr Ashley Cross (23/00685/FUL) (PLN/015/24)
Location: Land 105M NW Of Allwood, 9 Teangue (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Erection of house and 4no holiday pods, siting of 2no static caravans.
Recommendation: GRANT

6.11 
Applicant: Patrick and Maya Kurtz (20/01581/FUL) (PLN/016/24)
Location: Skyefall Struan Isle of Skye IV56 8FA (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Erection of house and formation of access.
Recommendation: REFUSE 

6.12 
Applicant: North West Highlands Plumbing Services Ltd (23/03272/FUL) (PLN/017/24)
Location: 2 Caberfeidh, Smoo, Durness, Lairg, IV27 4QA (Ward 01).
Nature of Development: Erection of takeaway building.
Recommendation: GRANT 

6.13  
Applicant: Laura Fraser (23/04117/LBC) (PLN/018/24)
Location: 1 Ankerville Street, Tain, IV19 1BH (Ward 07).
Nature of Development: Installation of composite door.
Recommendation: REFUSE