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 7 August 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 

Rhoda Banfro, Acting 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 4 June 2024.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/051/20 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: Proposed mixed-use development including houses, flats and short stay accommodation, shops, financial and professional services, distillery with visitor experience, public house and ancillary development (24/02233/PAN) (PLN/0052/24)
Ward: 10 - Eilean A' Cheò     
Applicant: Kero Properties Ltd
Site Address: Land 85M SE Of West Highland Free Press, 1 Pairc Nan Craobh Industrial Estate, Broadford

5.2 
Description: Construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 200MW with associated infrastructure (including interface substation and cable route to consented Gills Bay substation), access and ancillary works (including landscaping and biodiversity enhancement). (24/02584/PAN) (PLN/053/24)
Ward: 03 – Wick and East Caithness
Applicant: Field Rigifa Limited  
Site Address: Phillips Mains Farm, Rigifa, Mey, Thurso.

5.3 
Description: Construction and Operation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with an installed storage capacity of up to 200MW along with associated infrastructure and ancillary works, earthworks, access, drainage, able route, landscaping, and biodiversity enhancements. (24/02669/PAN) (PLN/0054/24)
Ward: 05 – Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh    
Applicant: Field Corriemoillie Ltd
Site Address: Land at Corriemoillie Quarry, Garve

5.4 
Description: Development of a Battery Energy Storage System with a capacity of 49.9MW consisting of battery storage modules and associated infrastructure fencing, control buildings, substations and CCTV. (24/02845/PAN) (PLN/0055/24)
Ward: 02 – Thurso and Northwest Caithness    
Applicant: Forss Energy Storage Limited
Site Address: Forss Business and Technology Park, Forss, Thurso.

6.Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/056/24 to PLN/065/24 by the Area Planning Manager - North which are as follows:-

6.1  
Applicant: Mr Ashley Cross (24/01449/FUL) (PLN/056/24)
Location: Land 105M NW Of Allwood, 9 Teangue (Ward 10). 
Nature of Development: Erection of house and temporary siting of 2no static caravans (retrospective)
Recommendation: GRANT 

6.2 
Applicant: Muirhall Energy Ltd (23/03945/S36) (PLN/057/24)
Location: Land 3070M North Of Amer Farm, 5 Totarder, Struan (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Glen Ullinish II Wind Farm - Construction and operation of a wind farm for a 40 year operational period, comprising 47 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 200m, access tracks, borrow pits, battery storage, up to 2 anemometer masts, substations and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: RAISE AN OBJECTION 
     
6.3  
Applicant: Mr David Skea 
Location: Landat Mount Eagle, Culbokie (Ward 09).
Nature of Development: Residential development of up to 20 houses and associated access, drainage and landscaping.
Recommendation: GRANT
     
6.4 
Applicant: GEG Capital (north) Ltd (23/01542/FUL & 23/01543/LBC) (PLN/059/24)
Location: Earl’s Cross Cottage, Earls Cross Road, Dornoch, IV25 3PJ (Ward 04).
Nature of Development: 23/01542/FUL - Demolition of former Earls Cross Cottage, erection of 12 detached houses, remote paths connection to Earls Cross Road and formation of access road (renewal of 19/00658/FUL) 23/01543/LBC – Demolition of Earls Cross Cottage (renewal of 19/00655/LBC).
Recommendation: GRANT
     
6.5 
Applicant: GEG Capital (North) Ltd (23/01550/FUL & 23/01552/LBC) (PLN/060/24)
Location: Ambassador House, Earls Cross Road, Dornoch (Ward 04).
Nature of Development: 23/01550/FUL - Conversion and alterations to form 9 apartments, erection of 4 houses (renewal of planning permission 19/00657/FUL)
23/01552/LBC - Alterations to building to form 9 apartments, demolition of external fire stair and rear storage compound (renewal of 19/00654/LBC)
Recommendation: GRANT
     
6.6 
Applicant: Organic Sea Harvest (23/05927/FUL) (PLN/061/24)
Location: Land 1520M NE Of Bridgend Cottage, Flodigarry, Portree, Isle Of Skye (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Marine Fish Farm - Atlantic Salmon, comprising 10 x 120m circumference pens with 14m x 14m feed barge and ancillary equipment.
Recommendation: GRANT
     
6.7 
Applicant: Organic Sea Harvest (23/05931/FUL) (PLN/062/24)
Location: Land 1600M East Of Balmaqueen, Isle Of Skye (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: MARINE FIN FISH FARM - 10no, 120m circumference plastic pens in 2 x 5 configuration with associated feed barge and ancillary equipment.
Recommendation: GRANT
     
6.8 
Applicant: Mr Peter Logan (23/04686/FUL) (PLN/063/24)
Location: Land 290M SW Of West Knockbain Farmhouse, Knockbain, Munlochy (Ward 09).
Nature of Development: Erection of 2no. lodges for holiday letting, formation of accesstrack (part retrospective)
Recommendation: GRANT

6.9 
Applicant: Embo Trust (24/00952/FUL) (PLN/064/24)
Location: The Old School, School Street, Embo, IV25 3PZ (Ward 04).
Nature of Development: Erection of ground mounted solar PV panels.
Recommendation: GRANT

6.10  
Applicant: Renantis UK Ltd (formerly Falck Renewables Wind Ltd) (23/02998/S36) (PLN/065/24)
Location: Land 1800M NE of 12 Upper Feorlig Dunvegan (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Ben Aketil Repowered and Extended Wind Farm - Decommissioning and removal of 12 existing turbines and related infrastructure, erection and operation of 9 turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 200m, up to 20MW Battery Energy Storage System, anemometer mast, access tracks, up to two borrow pits, and all associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: RAISE AN OBJECTION 

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

Applicant: Ruraidh Stewart 
Location: Land 55M NE of Willowbank, The Square, Balmacara, IV40 8DP (Ward 5)
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.

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Scottish Ministers to dismiss the appeal and refuse planning permission for the reasons given in the Decision Notice.