A meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Tuesday 17 September 2013 at 10.30 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,

Alaisdair Mackenzie, Legal Manager
(for Assistant Chief Executive)

1. Apologies
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 indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest.  Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Confirmation of Minutes
Dearbhadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There is submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the 13 August 2013.

4. Major Applications
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN-082-13 (121kb pdf) by the Head of Planning and Building Standards providing a summary of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination.

5. Continued Items
Cuspairean a' Leantain

5.1  Applicant:  Scottish Power Renewables (UK) Ltd (09/00399/FULCA) (Route Map for Site Visit (613kb pdf) | PLN-079-13 Part 1 (1678kb pdf) | PLN-079-13 Part 2 (954kb pdf))
Location:  Halsary Forest, Watten (Ward 4)
Nature of Development:  Construction of a wind farm containing 15 (as amended) wind turbines, crane hardstandings, site accesses from the A9(T), fenced substation and switchgear compound, on-site underground cabling, on-site access tracks and associated pipe bridges and watercourse crossings, removal of forestry, one permanent steel lattice or tubular tower anemometry mast, two temporary power performance assessment masts, and ancillary construction development including two temporary construction compounds/lay-down areas.
Recommendation:  Grant.

5.2  Applicant:  RWE Npower Renewables Ltd (12/02868/FUL) (Route Map for Site Visit (613kb pdf); PLN-080-13 Part 1 (1333kb pdf) | PLN-080-13 Part 2 (1288kb pdf) | PLN-080-13 Part 3 (1035kb pdf))
Location:  Bad a Cheo, Achkeepster, Spittal (Ward 4)
Nature of Development:   Erection of 13 wind turbines, hard standings, anemometer mast, wind farm control building, temporary construction compound, lay down area and access tracks
Recommendation:  Grant.

5.3  Applicant:  Mr Jeffery Bannerman (12/04399/FUL) (Route Map for Site Visit (613kb pdf); PLN-075-13 Part 1 (1816kb pdf) | PLN-075-13 Part 2 (414kb pdf))
Location:  Land 240 m SE of Balmore Farm, Dounreay (Ward 4)
Nature of Development:   Erection of single wind turbine 78 metres to blade tip, 49 m to hub with 58 diameter blades, formation of access track and new road junction along with ancillary electrical switchgear housing
Recommendation:  Refuse.

6. Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/081/13, PLN/083/13 - PLN/087/13 by the Area Planning Manager North as follows:-

6.1  Applicant:  Whirlwind Renewables (13/1190/FUL) (Route Map for Site Visit (613kb pdf); PLN-081-13 Part 1 (1577kb pdf) | PLN-081-13 Part 2 (1183kb pdf))
Location:  West of Mybster Farm, Spittal, Watten, Caithness (Achlachan Wind Farm)
Nature of Development:  Wind farm (5 wind turbines) with potential capacity of 10 mw. 
Recommendation:  Grant

6.2  Applicant:  Mr W MacInnes (11/03478/PIP) (PLN-083-13 (636kb pdf))
Location:  Site 2, Land to South West of 22 Garafad, Staffin, Portree (Ward 11)
Nature of Development:  Housing Development, revised scheme incorporating 7 dwellings (previously 9) together with associated arrangements for access and shared drainage
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.3  Applicant:  Mr Ian Butler (12/01575/FUL) (PLN-084-13 (1034kb pdf))
Location:  Land 40 m East of 1 Coile Dhorch, Coille Dhorch, Badachro (Ward 6)
Nature of Development:  Erection of house and garage 
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.4  Applicant:  Ms E Munro (13/02115/PIP) (PLN-085-13 (885kb pdf))
Location:  Land 105 North West of Lower Dalnaclach, Lamington, Invergordon (Ward 8)
Nature of Development:  Erection of house with access via existing track.  Installation of septic tank and treatment system 
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.5  Applicant:  Mr D J Graham (13/02244/FUL) (PLN-086-13 (513kb pdf))
Location:  6 Eyre, Kensaleyre, Portree, IV51 9XB (Ward 11)
Nature of Development:  Change of use from shed to holiday letting unit
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.6  Applicant:  Ardassie Ltd (13/02479/FUL) (PLN-087-13 (1894kb pdf))
Location:  Carrol House, 36 Golf Road, Brora, KW9 6QS (Ward 05)
Nature of Development:  Demolition of Carrol House and erection of 17 apartments in 2 x 2 ½ storey blocks with associated parking and services
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.7  Applicant:  RWE Npower (Whilk Wind Farm) (13/02429/S42) (PLN-088-13 (345kb pdf))
Location:  Burn of Whilk, East Clyth, Lybster, Caithness (Ward 04)
Nature of Development:  Amend two conditions attached to the Burn of Whilk Wind Farm planning permission
Recommendation:  Grant.