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 18 June 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 30 April 2024.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLS/26/24 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 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) up to 200 MW, access, landscaping and ancillary infrastructure (24/01337/PAN) (PLS/27/24)
Ward: 15 
Applicant: Field Knocknagael Limited
Site Address: Knocknagael Substation, Essich Road, Inverness

5.2
Description: Erection and operation of extension to the Knocknagael Substation comprising new platform area, associated plant and infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown area(s), access roads and landscape works. (24/01335/PAN) (PLS/28/24)
Ward: 15
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC
Site Address: Knocknagael Substation, Essich Road, Inverness 

5.3
Description: Millenium East Wind Farm - Erection of 8 wind turbines, with a blade tip height of up to 200m; Battery Energy Storage System (BESS); associated infrastructure and ancillary development, site-specific measures to conserve, restore, and enhance biodiversity. (24/01071/PAN) (PLS/29/24)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Renantis UK Limited
Site Address: Land 3830M SE Of Achlain Mhor, Glenmoriston

5.4
Description: Construction of a rail sidings yard, connection to the main line, associated gantry crane and associated infrastructure works and facilities at West Fraser Europe Ltd, Morayhill, Inverness. (24/01598/PAN) (PLS/30/24)
Ward: 17
Applicant: West Fraser Europe Ltd
Site Address: Land at West Fraser Europe Ltd, Morayhill, Inverness 

5.5
Description: Extension to switching station, platform, plant, infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown area(s), access road and landscape works. Land 940m NE of Foyers Power Station, Foyers. (24/01379/PAN) (PLS/31/24)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC
Site Address: Land 940M NE Of, Foyers Power Station, Foyers

5.6
Description: Highland Wind Farm - Section 36 application to Electricity Consents Unit (ECU) for a proposed Wind Farm of up to 24 turbines with a generation greater than 50 megawatts (MW) with associated infrastructure and ancillary development. Land 5000m SE of Farmhouse, Tomatin. (24/01049/PAN) (PLS/32/24)
Ward: 20
Applicant: Highland Wind Farm Limited
Site Address: Land 5000m SE of Farmhouse, Tomatin 

5.7
Description: Formation of Aviemore to Carrbridge Non-Motorised User Route/Path – Aviemore to Carrbridge. (24/02059/PAN) (PLS/33/24)
Ward: 20
Applicant: Transport Scotland
Site Address: Land 100M SW Of Carsaig, Kinchurdy Road, Boat of Garten 

6. Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/34/24 to PLS/39/24 by the Area Planning Manager - South which are as follows:-

6.1
Applicant: Aggregate Industries UK Ltd (21/05841/S42) (PLS/34/24)
Location: Glensanda Quarry, Glensanda Morvern, Oban, PA80 5QB (Ward 21). 
Nature of Development: Continue to develop Glensanda Quarry without complying with Condition 16 of planning permission 05/00334/FULLO in so far as it relates to the construction of a screen mound at Glensanda Quarry Glensanda Morvern Oban PA80 5QB.
Recommendation: Grant

6.2
Applicant: Coire Glas Hydro Pumped Storage Ltd (23/05393/FUL) (PLS/35/24)
Location: A82/Kilfinnan Road junction (Ward 11).
Nature of Development: Coire Glas Pumped Storage Scheme:   Kilfinnan Road site access improvements over a length of approximately 4.6km from the A82 junction to the South Laggan Forest gate, comprising widening to form a two-way public road to serve the Coire Glas scheme during construction and thereafter, reducing the road width to single-track with passing places, and ancillary works. Site starts at A82/Kilfinnan Road junction and ends at South Laggan Forest gate.
Recommendation: Grant

6.3 
Applicant: Glencoe Cottage Ltd (23/05261/FUL) (PLS/36/24)
Location: Allt-Na-Reigh Glencoe Ballachulish PH49 4HX (Ward 21).
Nature of Development: Demolition of cottage, erection of replacement dwelling, renovation and alterations to outbuilding with associated site works at Allt-Na-Reigh, Glencoe, Ballachulish, PH49 4HX.  
Recommendation: Grant
     
6.4 
Applicant: Mr Chris Barnett (22/03364/FUL) (PLS/37/24)
Location: Land 120M SE Of Dun Ban Bunloit Drumnadrochit (Ward 12).
Nature of Development: Erection of 4 holiday lodges and managers' accommodation and associated works.
Recommendation: Grant
     
6.5  
Applicant: BDW Trading Ltd & Cawdor Maintenance Trust (23/04419/MSC) (PLS/38/24)
Location: Delnies, Nairn (Ward 18).
Nature of Development: Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions 1 (Phasing Plan) and 2a (Area Development Brief) of Planning Permission in Principle Ref: 20/00599/S42,.
Recommendation: Approve

6.6 
Applicant: The Highland Council (23/05756/FUL) (PLS/39/24)
Location: Nairn Academy, Duncan Drive, Nairn (Ward 18).
Nature of Development: Erection of replacement secondary school, car parking, sports pitches; demolition of existing school, Nairn Academy, Nairn
Recommendation: Grant