Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on 30 April 2024 at 10.30 am. 

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. For those participating remotely, please remain on camera and advise the Chair of any loss of connection, no matter how brief. 

Members are further reminded that while mobile devices, including mobile phones, can be used for following the agenda/reports and delivering speeches in the Chamber, they are not permitted to be used to participate in the meeting remotely as the screen is of insufficient size to consider the plans presented to you. In addition, mobile devices are not permitted to be used for any form of communication (text or social media post) during the meeting.

Yours faithfully 

Iain Meredith, Acting Principal Solicitor
(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 the meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee held on 19 March 2024.

4.    Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLS/14/24 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 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: Proposed new 400 kV substation comprising new buildings, platform, plant and machinery, access, laydown/work compound area(s), drainage, landscaping, and other ancillary works (National Development) (24/01002/PAN) (PLS/15/24)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC 
Site Address: Land 1240M SE Of SSE Fasnakyle Power Station, Fasnakyle, Cannich 

5.2 
Description: Proposed new 400kV substation and HVDC converter station comprising new buildings, platform, plant and machinery, access, laydown/work compound area(s), landscaping, site drainage, and other ancillary works (National Development) (24/01533/PAN) (PLS/16/24)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC 
Site Address: On Land at Fanellan, Kiltarlity, Beauly 

6.    Continued Item    
Cuspairean a' Leantainn 

6.1 
Applicant: Ms Zoe Sheard (23/05217/FUL) (PLS/11/24)
Location: Sleat View, Kinloid, Arisaig, PH39 4NS (Ward 11). 
Nature of Development:     Erection of house (plot 4) (amended location from previous permission 22/03307/FUL) Retrospective.
Recommendation: Refuse

7.    Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/17/24 to PLS/25/24 by the Area Planning Manager - South which are as follows:-

7.1 
Applicant
Location: Land 4KM East of Dava Station House, Grantown-on-Spey (Ward 20). 
Nature of Development: - Erection and operation of a wind farm comprising 18 wind turbines of up to 180m to blade tip height, battery energy storage system, control building, substation, access tracks, three borrow pits, cabling, off-site road improvements on the A939 at Castle Grant and Dava Bridge and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: Raise No Objection

7.2 
Applicant: Ourack Wind Farm LLP (23/02056/LBC) (PLS/18/24)
Location: Land 30m SW Of Dava Farm Cottage, Grantown-On-Spey (Ward 20).
Nature of Development: Temporarily lowering of parapet wall to facilitate the delivery of wind farm components to the Ourack Wind Farm site.
Recommendation: Grant
     
7.3 
Applicant: Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (23/00259/S37) (PLS/19/24)
Location:  Land 95M SE Of Dundreggan Dam, Glenmoriston (Ward 12)
Nature of Development: Installation of an electric line above ground with a voltage of 132 kV between the proposed Bhlaraidh Extension Windfarm substation and the Fort Augustus Substation within Auchteraw.
Recommendation: Raise No Objection
    
7.4 
Applicant: Tomchrasky Limited (22/05955/S36) (PLS/20/24)
Location: Land 3200M NW Of Dalchreichart Cemetery, Dalchreichart, Glenmoriston (Ward 12).
Nature of Development: Tomchrasky Wind Farm - Erection and operation of a wind farm comprising 14 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 185m, up to 50 battery storage units, anemometer mast, access tracks, four borrow pits and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Raise No Objection
    
7.5 
Applicant: The Highland Council (23/03655/PIP) (PLS/21/24)
Location: Charleston Academy, General Booth Road, Inverness (Ward 13). 
Nature of Development: Phased redevelopment of Charleston Academy site to replace existing secondary school buildings and form new campus with nursery, primary and secondary schools with associated car parking, external space and landscaping.
Recommendation: Grant 
    
7.6 
Applicant: The Highland Council (23/04018/FUL) (PLS/22/24)
Location: Land 100M NW Of Charleston Academy, General Booth Road, Inverness (Ward 13).
Nature of Development: Erection of nursery, play space and landscaping.
Recommendation: Grant 

7.7 
Applicant: Moray Estates Developments Ltd (23/05811/S42) (PLS/23/24)
Location: Land North East of Tornagrain, Dalcross, Inverness (Ward 17).
Nature of Development: Application under s42 to vary condition 11 (restriction on culverts), 12 (water crossings), 15 (development of infrastructure in riparian zone), 27 (alter timing of modification of A96(T) Mid Coul roundabout) of 16/05725/S42 for new town comprising up to 4,960 houses, community facilities, retail, business, general industry, storage and distribution, hotels, residential institution, leisure, petrol stations and associated landscaping, open space, infrastructure and services.
Recommendation: Grant 
        
7.8 
Applicant: IHO Private Ltd (23/05982/FUL) (PLS/24/24)
Location: Galbraith, Reay House, 17 Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness, IV2 3HF (Ward 14).
Nature of Development:     Change of use from office (Class 4) to guest house (Class 7).
Recommendation: Grant 

7.9 
Applicant: VMO2 (23/04700/FUL) (PLS/25/24)
Location: Land 640M NW of Gate House, Newtonmore (Ward 20).
Nature of Development: Installation of 25m high telecommunications mast and ancillary development within fenced compound.
Recommendation: Grant