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 19 November 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.    Appointment of Chair 
Suidheachadh de Chathraiche

Following the resignation of the Mr MacLennan as Chair, the Committee is invited to appoint a Chair and, if required, a Vice Chair and Committee representative for the Planning Review Body.

2.    Apologies for Absence
Leisgeulan

3.    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.

4.    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 1 October 2024.

5.    Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLS/062/24 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.

6.    Major Developments – Pre-application consultations    
Leasachaidhean Mòra – Co-chomhairle Ro-iarrtais

    6.1 
    Description: Development of pumped storage hydro with storage capacity of up to 30,000 megawatt hours with up to 2,000 megawatts installed electrical generation capacity. Water      will be pumped, via proposed tunnels, into and from turbines located between Loch Ness and Loch nam Breac Dearga. (24/04410/PAN) (PLS/063/24)
    Ward: 12
    Applicant: AECOM 
    Site Address: Land 2700m West of Inchtellach, Bunloit, Drumnadrochit
     
    6.2 
    Description: Erection and operation of battery energy storage system with a storage capacity of up to 30MW and associated infrastructure (24/03762/PAN) (PLS/064/24)
    Ward: 18
    Applicant: Anesco Ltd  
    Site Address: Land 100M South of Blackpark House Nairn

7.    Continued Item    
Cuspairean a' Leantainn 
    
    7.1 
    Applicant: GF Job Ltd (20/04784/S42) (PLS/065/24)
    Location: Alvie Moor Quarry, Dalraddy Estate, Alvie, Kincraig (Ward 20).
    Nature of Development: Section 42 application to amend conditions 1 & 4 of planning permission 11/04428/FUL (extension of time).
    Recommendation: Grant. 

8.   Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/66/24 to PLS/68/24 by the Area Planning Manager - South which are as follows:-
    
    8.1 
    Applicant: GF Job Ltd (24/02574/S42) (PLS/66/24)
    Location: Land 180M SW of Easter Delfour, Alvie, Kincraig (Ward 20). 
    Nature of Development: Application under S42 to develop land without compliance with (00/00279/FULBS Winning and working of stone and aggregate) conditions 1 to 4 to extend      quarry operations for a further 5 years to 2030, updated extraction and restoration plan.
    Recommendation: Grant

    8.2 
    Applicant: The Highland Council (23/05335/FUL) (PLS/67/24)
    Location: Former Golf Course, General Booth Road, Inverness (Ward 13).
    Nature of Development: Erection of 118 residential units, infrastructure, roads, drainage and landscaping.
    Recommendation: Grant 
        
    8.3 
    Applicant: The Highland Council (24/00370/FUL) (PLS/68/24)
    Location: Site directly adjacent to St Valery Avenue, Inverness (Ward 14).
    Nature of Development: Erection of 8No. 2 bedroomed, semi-detached houses.
    Recommendation: Grant  

9.    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

    9.1 
    Applicant: Springfield Properties PLC (PPA-270-2299) (23/00533/FUL)
    Location: Land at Drum Farm South of Fire Station Drumnadrochit IV63 6AH (Ward 12)
    Nature of Development:  remix house types on land at Drum Farm.  

    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to allow the appeal and grant planning permission subject to the thirty one          conditions and advisory notes as listed in Annex A.

    9.2 
    Applicant: Springfield Properties PLC (PPA-270-2299) (23/00533/FUL)
    Location: Land at Drum Farm South of Fire Station Drumnadrochit IV63 6AH (Ward 12)
    Nature of Development:  Claim for expenses.  

    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers that the council has not acted in an unreasonable manner resulting in liability for     expenses and, in exercise of the powers delegated to me, I decline to make any award.

    9.3
    Applicant: Springfield Properties PLC (PPA-270-2298) (23/00532/FUL)
    Location: land at Drum Farm, South of Fire Station, Drumnadrochit IV63 6AH (Ward 12)
    Nature of Development:  remix house types on land at Drum Farm.  

    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to allow the appeal and grant planning permission subject to the thirty conditions and advisory notes as listed in Annex A.
     
    9.4 
    Applicant: Springfield Properties PLC (PPA-270-2298) (23/00532/FUL)
    Location: Land at Drum Farm South of Fire Station Drumnadrochit IV63 6AH (Ward 12)
    Nature of Development:  Claim for expenses.  

    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers that the council has not acted in an unreasonable manner resulting in liability for expenses and, in exercise of the powers delegated to me, I decline to make any award.