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 22 January at 9.30 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 

Arlene Gibbs, Principal Solicitor – Planning 
(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 Meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee held on 4 December 2024.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/001/25 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

Description: Achrugan Wind Farm - Proposal of Application Notice for the erection and operation of a wind farm comprising up to 14 turbines with maximum tip height of 200m, battery energy storage system (BESS), and ancillary infrastructure (24/05142/PAN) (PLN/001/25)
Ward: 01 North, West And Central Sutherland 
Applicant: Statkraft 
Site Address: Land 1280M NW Of Bowside Lodge, Strathy

6.Continued Items     
Cuspairean a' Leantainn 

Applicant: Capstone Connect, (23/05466/FUL) (PLN/002/25)
Location: Land 190m East of Rosskeen House, Invergordon (Ward 06). 
Nature of Development: Erection of 66 no dwelling houses comprising 2 storey, 2, 3, and 4 bed flats and villas with associated road, drainage and services with various landscaped recreation areas and retained woodland.

Report to follow.
     
7.Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/0**/20 to PLN/003/25 by the Area Planning Manager - North which are as follows:-

7.1  
Applicant: Three UK (24/01932/FUL ) (PLN/003/25)
Location: Glencalvie Forest, Glencalvie Estate, Ardgay. (Ward 01). 
Nature of Development: Installation of a 25m high lattice mast accommodating transmission dishes and ancillary development in a levelled compound surrounded by a deer fence. The proposed compound will also accommodate 4No outdoor equipment cabinets; 1No electrical meter cabinet; 1No Off-Grid Power Generator and ancillary development. Formation of 194m long ATV route (no physical ground works) from the existing ATV track lying to the northeast.
Recommendation: GRANT 

7.2  
Applicant: Tulloch Homes Ltd (23/02245/MSC) (PLN/004/25)
Location: Land 150M West Of Wyndhill Industrial Estate, Muir Of Ord (Ward 08).
Nature of Development: Erection of 60 residential units to Phase 1 (private and affordable) (discharge of Planning Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 & 18 attached to planning permission ref. 19/00233/S42).
Recommendation: GRANT
     
7.3 
Applicant: West Coast Estates Ltd (23/03666/FUL) (PLN/005/25)
Location: Land 60M North Of, 23 Barclay Gardens, North Kessock (Ward 09).
Nature of Development: Erection of EV charging station, retail unit and cafe/restaurant with associated infrastructure and amenity open space.
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
7.4 
Applicant: Renewable Energy Systems Ltd. (23/05999/FUL) (PLN/006/25)
Location: Land 420M SW Of SSE Alness Grid Sub Station, Mid Balnacraig, Alness (Ward 06).
Nature of Development: Battery energy storage facility comprising a compound of battery and electrical equipment, access track, landscaping and ancillary works.
Recommendation: GRANT 
 
7.5  
Applicant: Reay Power Ltd (24/01669/FUL) (PLN/007/25)
Location: Land 590M NE Of Isauld Cottage, Reay (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of a 34MW capacity battery energy storage facility (BESS) with ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
8. 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: RWE Renewables UK Onshore Wind Ltd (23/05188/S36) (EC00003133)
Location: Land 2040M NE Of Bulreanrob Lybster (Ward 03)
Nature of Development: Goticlay Wind Farm Redesign - Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 35 years, comprising up to 13 wind turbines, 11with a maximum blade tip height of 200m, 2 with a maximum blade tip height of 180m, access tracks, borrow pits, substation, control building, metrological mast, and ancillary infrastructure.  

    The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to vary the consent granted under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 on 24 March 2021 subject to conditions.