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 1 October 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 Chief Officer – Legal and Corporate 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 20 August 2024.

4.    Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLS/50/24 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: Construction of battery energy storage scheme (BESS) (up to 49.9MW) and associated works. (24/03422/PAN) (PLS/051/24)
Ward: 18
Applicant: Whirlwind Renewables Ltd  
Site Address: Land SE Of Sleigh Landscapes Grigorhill Industrial Estate Nairn.

6.    Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/052/24 to PLS/061/24 by the Area Planning Manager - South which are as follows:-
    
6.1 
Applicant: Fred Olsen Renewables Limited (23/05579/S36) (PLS/052/24)
Location: Culachy Estate, Land 4km SE of Newtown, Invergarry (Ward 12). 
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of a wind farm comprising 8 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 200m, battery energy storage system, site access junction, access tracks, crane hardstandings, underground cabling, on-site substation and maintenance building, temporary construction compounds, laydown areas, batching plant and potential excavation/borrow pits.
Recommendation: Raise An Objection

6.2 
Applicant: Chrathaich Renewables LLP (23/03311/S36) (PLS/053/24)
Location:  Land 3615M NW Of Burnside, Bhlaraidh, Glenmoriston (Ward 12).
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 30 years, comprising of 14 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, borrow pits, substation, control building, and ancillary infrastructure
Recommendation: Raise No Objection 

6.3 
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (24/01732/S37) (PLS/054/24)
Location: Land 10KM NW Of Coul Farm House, Laggan (Ward 20).
Nature of Development: Melgarve cluster project - Section 37 application under the Electricity Act for the installation and operation of approximately 7 km of 132 kV overhead line on double circuit steel structure towers, and ancillary development comprising 2 no. cable sealing end compounds, approximately 9.9 km of underground cable (7.3 km from the Dell Wind Farm on site substation, 1.8 km from the Cloiche Wind Farm on site substation and 0.8 km on approach into Melgarve substation), upgrades to existing access tracks, new permanent and temporary access tracks, and temporary working areas.
Recommendation: Raise Objection
        
6.4 
Applicant: RES (Renewable Energy Systems Limited) (24/02371/FUL) (PLS/055/24)
Location: Land 3100M SW of Kingie Lodge, Invergarry (Ward 11).
Nature of Development: Construction and erection of a meteorological mast, height up to 70m, for a temporary period of three years.
Recommendation: Grant
        
6.5 
Applicant: Atina Property UK Limited (24/01791/S42) (PLS/056/24)
Location: Land 120M NW Of Taigh Breagh, Achnabobane, Spean Bridge (Ward 11).
Nature of Development: Section 42 application to develop land without compliance with Condition 1 of 19/02043/MSC: saplings 40cm - 60cm in size shall be planted in shelters and staked in the area to the NW of the plot, as shown on the revised layout site plan drawing, together with groups of feathered 1.2m - 1.8m bare root trees in the positions shown along the boundaries of the plot
Recommendation: Grant
    
6.6 
Applicant: Cornerstone (23/05603/FUL) (PLS/057/24)
Location: Land 5690M SE Of Penstock Cottage, Lochaber Road, Kinlochleven (Ward 21).
Nature of Development: Installation of a 30m lattice mast, shared antennas, transmission dish, associated ancillary development, access track and hardstanding area.
Recommendation: Grant 
         
6.7 
Applicant: Gateway (24/03592/FUL) (PLS/058/24)
Location: Westview House Upper Myrtlefield Inverness IV2 5BX (Ward 19).
Nature of Development: Change of use from house (Class 9) to residential institution (Class 8)
Recommendation: Grant 
     
6.8 
Applicant: Mrs Thelma Jennie Elizabeth Slessor (24/01295/FUL) (PLS/059/24)
Location: Taigh Abhainn, Station Road, Carrbridge, PH23 3AL (Ward 20).
Nature of Development: Use of property as short-term letting unit and house
.Recommendation: Grant

6.9 
Applicant: Mr Ed and Mrs Zoe Baird (24/01922/FUL) (PLS/060/24)
Location: Land 80M SW Of White Lady Lodge, Duthil, Carrbridge (Ward 20).
Nature of Development: Installation of 3No. glamping pods, parking.
Recommendation: Grant
    
6.10 
Applicant: Ms Sue Craigen (24/01992/FUL) (PLS/061/24)
Location: 53 Harbour Street, Nairn IV12 4NX (Ward 18).
Nature of Development: Alteration and extension to house.
Recommendation: Grant