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 6 February 2025 at 9.30 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 

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 the meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee held on 10 December 2024.

4.    Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLS/01/25 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: Platforming construction operation consisting of provision of access road; site remediation works; civil engineering works, including importation of materials (99,090m3 +/- 10,000m3); drainage works; services and utilities works (24/04873/PAN) (PLS/02/25)
Ward: 16
Applicant: The Highland Council  
Site Address: Land at Longman Landfill Site, Stadium Road, Inverness.

5.2 
Description: Formation of sand and gravel quarry (24/04561/PAN) (PLS/03/25)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Pat Munro (Alness) Limited
Site Address: Land 550m east of Farr Community Hall, Inverarnie, Farr, Inverness

5.3 
Description: Temporary workers residential accommodation, including welfare
facilities, associated infrastructure and other ancillary development  
(24/04578/PAN ) (PLS/04/25)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Balfour Beatty  
Site Address: Land 350M North of Newtown, Invergarry.

5.4 
Description: Extension to existing Foyers switching station comprising platform area, associated plant and infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown / work compound area(s), access road, drainage and landscape works; and extension to existing substation platform area at Foyers 
(24/04765/PAN) (PLS/05/25)
Ward: 12
Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc
Site Address: Land 940m NE of Foyers Power Station, Foyers

5.5 
Description: Loch Fearna Pumped Storage Hydro Scheme - construction and operation of a pumped storage hydro scheme at Glen Garry with a generating capacity of 2000MW (24/05191/PAN) (PLS/06/25)
Ward: 11
Applicant: Fearna PSH Ltd 
Site Address: Land 4390M NW Of Kingie Lodge, Invergarry.

6.    Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/07/25 to PLS/12/25 by the Area Planning Manager - South which are as follows:-
        
6.1 
Applicant: Earba Limited (24/01056/S36) (PLS/07/25)
Location: Land 4200m SE of Moy Lodge, Tulloch, Roy Bridge (Ward 20). 
Nature of Development: Construction and operation of a pumped storage hydroelectric scheme with a generating capacity of 1,800MW and a 40GWh storage capacity
Recommendation: Raise No Objection 

6.2 
Applicant: Loch Liath Wind Farm Limited (23/02462/S36) (PLS/08/25)
Location: Land 9000M SW Of Glenurquhart High School, Balmacaan Road, Drumnadrochit (Ward 12).
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 35 years, comprising a total of 13 wind turbines with Turbines 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 having a maximum blade tip height of 200m, and Turbines 1, 6 and 7 having a maximum blade tip height of 180m, access tracks, borrow pit, substation, control building, anemometer mast, and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: Raise an Objection 
        
6.3 
Applicant: Mrs Ann-Marie MacRae (24/00531/FUL) (PLS/09/25)
Location: Land 40M East of Moidart, Badabrie, Banavie, Fort William  (Ward 11).
Nature of Development: Erection of house and detached garage, driveway, drainage scheme, package treatment plant and soakaway
Recommendation: Refuse
        
6.4 
Applicant: LG-B-50a Limited (24/01548/FUL) (PLS/10/25)
Location: Land 340M SW Of Balblair Quarry, Balblair Beauly (Ward 12).
Nature of Development: Erection and operation of battery energy storage system (BESS) up to 49.9MW, substations, switchgear and control buildings, landscaping, fencing and ancillary infrastructure
Recommendation: Grant
        
6.5 
Applicant: Ms Yvonne Birrell (24/02815/FUL) (PLS/11/25)
Location: Delmore Bungalow, Inverness, IV3 8RG  (Ward 13).
Nature of Development: Erection of house
Recommendation: Grant 
        
6.6 
Applicant: Dog Falls Brewing Co (24/03103/FUL) (PLS/12/25)
Location: 23 Queensgate, Inverness, IV1 1DG (Ward 14).
Nature of Development: Change of use from shop (Class 1A) to public house
Recommendation: Grant 
     
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

7.1 
Applicant: Ms Lynn Sutherland (PPA-270-2306) (23/05049/FUL)
Location: Ivy House, 91 High Street, Kingussie, PH21 1HX (Ward 20)
Nature of Development: Change of use of dwelling to short-term let accommodation.  

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 condition listed at the end of this decision notice. Attention is drawn to the two advisory notes at the end of the notice.

7.2 
Applicant: Diana Saunders (PPA-270-2304) (24/01309/FUL)
Location: 9 Creag A Ghreusaiche, Aviemore, PH22 1LD (Ward 20)
Nature of Development: Short term holiday let

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to dismiss the appeal and refuse planning permission