Committees
A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 19 September 2012, at 9.00 a.m.
9.00 a.m.: Transport departs Council Headquarters, Inverness, to transport Members to Tornagrain for a site visit in respect of Item 3.
10.30 a.m., or on completion of site visit, whichever is the later: Committee meeting reconvenes in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Inverness.
You are invited to attend the meeting 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 planning application before this Committee, they must be present throughout the whole of that item, including any related site visit, in order to be entitled to participate.
Yours faithfully,
Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive
1. Apologies for Absence
Liesgeulan
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. Notice of Amendment (Planning) - Planning Application (09/00038/OUTIN)
Brath Atharrachaidh (Dealbhadh) – Iarrtas Dealbhaidh (09/00038/OUTIN)
Creation and Development of New Town comprising up to 4,960 houses, Community Facilities, Retail, Leisure, Business Uses and associated Landscaping, Open Space, Infrastructure and Services on land to the north east of Tornagrain
The South Planning Applications Committee (SPAC) granted planning consent for the above application at its meeting on 21 August 2012. The following Notice of Amendment was then received on 24 August 2012:
“Moray Estates Development Company: creation and development of a new town comprising up to 4,960 houses on land to the north-east of Tornagrain (Ward 18)
At its meeting on Tuesday last 21 August 2012 the South Planning Applications Committee of the Council approved consent for the application referred to above, together with conditions.
We the undersigned, being members of the committee and elected members of the Highland Council, hereby declare our wish that this decision be reviewed at a forthcoming meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee of the Council.
Signed: Mr R Balfour, Mr D Kerr, Mr A Baxter, Mr T MacLennan, Mrs M Davidson, Mr M Green, Mr J Crawford, Mr L Fraser.”
In this context, there had been re-circulated Report No. PLS/049/12 by the Head of Planning and Building Standards recommending that planning permission be granted in principle, together with the relevant extract of Draft Minutes from the SPAC meeting.
A copy of the Council’s Planning Applications Site Visit Procedure is available by clicking here. Members are asked to note the Procedure, which will apply at the site visit.
The Committee is asked to consider the application.
4. Presentation by VisitScotland and Tourism Report
Taisbeanadh le VisitScotland agus Aithisg air Turasachd
A presentation will be given by Malcolm Roughead, OBE, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, providing Members with an overview of VisitScotland’s activities, with particular reference to the Highland Council area.
There is circulated Report No. ped-47-12 (63kb pdf) dated 6 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development summarising the work of the Service’s Tourism team and how this is directed in support of the Council’s commitment to the tourism industry. The report proposes the terms of reference for a review of the Council’s tourism spend and concludes by summarising the findings of a recent Internal Audit and subsequent actions undertaken to improve procedures at the Planning and Development Service’s key tourism property – Glen Nevis Visitor Centre.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the Council’s work both individually and with partners to develop tourism;
ii. approve the continued use of the established criteria for the award of
discretionary grants from the tourism development budget;
iii. approve the undertaking of a review of how the Council’s cash support for
tourism is allocated within the terms of reference described in the report; and
iv. note the findings of the Council’s Internal Audit into the Glen Nevis Visitor
Centre and the fact that all recommended actions have been implemented.
5. Revenue Monitoring Statement to July 2012
Cunntas Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach 2012/13
There is circulated Report No. ped-48-12 (105kb pdf) dated 7 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development commenting on the Revenue Monitoring Statement for the period to the end of 31 July 2012 and forecasting a balanced budget at the year end.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the monitoring report to the end of July 2012; and
ii. agree the management action which has been taken to date to balance the
budget at the year end.
6. Capital Expenditure Monitoring 2012/13
Sgrùdadh Caiteachais Chalpa gu 31 Iuchar 2012
There is circulated for noting Report No. ped-49-12 (80kb pdf) dated 7 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the expenditure and income to 31 July 2012 and for the 2012/13 capital programme.
7. Planning and Development Service: The ePlanning System – Audit Report
Seirbheis Dealbhaidh agus Leasachaidh: An Siostam Dealbhadh-d –
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh
There is circulated for noting Report No. ped-50-12 (54kb pdf) dated 22 February 2012 by the Head of Internal Audit and Risk Management providing a summary of the findings of an ePlanning Computer Audit. The findings were reported to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on 22 March 2012 and are brought also to this Committee in accordance with an agreed action which arose from the Local Code of Corporate Governance. A follow-up review will be carried out.
8. Highland LEADER Programme
Prògram LEADER na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No. ped-51-12 (25kb pdf) dated 6 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development providing an update on the Highland LEADER 2007-13 Programme. The report highlights progress to date, issues encountered and offers a brief comment on a future LEADER Programme.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the considerable progress achieved and benefits secured with the
delivery of the current Highland LEADER Programme; and
ii. agree that efforts continue to ensure that Highland communities benefit
from a new LEADER Programme in the period 2014-20.
9. Houses in Multiple Occupation
Taighean ann an Ioma-sheilbh
There is circulated Report No. ped-52-12 (26kb pdf) dated 6 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development summarising the methodology that is to be taken forward to review the approach to the provision of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) across Highland, but with a specific focus on Inverness City Centre. The report also recommends that the moratorium on planning permission for change of use to houses in multiple occupation in Inverness City Centre should be extended until this work is completed.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note the partnership approach to be undertaken to ensure a consistent and
robust approach to an over-provision of HMO policy; and
ii. agree an extension to the moratorium on planning permission for new
houses in multiple occupation for Inverness City Centre, as defined by the
adopted Inverness Local Plan 2006, until the January 2013 meeting of this
Committee, where an update will be provided to Members.
10. Revised Dounreay Planning Framework
Frèama Dealbhaidh Ath-sgrùdaichte airson Dhùnrath
There is circulated Report No. ped-53-12 (712kb pdf) dated 10 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development informing Members that, in partnership with Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), Highland Council officers have prepared a draft Dounreay Planning Framework 2 (DPF2). The intention is that, following a period of consultation, it will be adopted as statutory Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HwLDP), giving it the enhanced status of the development plan.
The Committee is asked to agree the content of the draft DPF2 and approve it for public consultation for a period of 8 weeks during October and November 2012, subject to confirmation of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) requirements and the meeting dates of the Dounreay Stakeholders Group.
11. Consultation on the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity –
Highland Council Response
Co-chomhairle mu Dhùbhlan 2020 airson Bith-iomadachd na h-
Alba – Freagairt Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No. ped-54-12 (78kb pdf) dated 7 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development informing Members of a Scottish Government consultation on the 2020 challenge for Scotland's biodiversity aims to halt biodiversity loss in Scotland by 2020, in line with the EU and UN Biodiversity Strategies. A copy of the full consultation can be obtained from the Members’ bulletin and on-line by cicking here.
Responses are sought by 26 September 2012. Outcomes of the consultation will be incorporated within a new Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (2013). The consultation document proposes principles and priorities for the halt of biodiversity loss but little by way of delivery mechanisms. As a result, in the draft response, comparison is drawn with activities the Highland Council is already undertaking to halt biodiversity loss.
The Committee is invited to consider the draft Highland Council response at Appendix 1 and to agree it subject to any additional comments Members wish to add.
12. Draft Crofting Commission Plan – Highland Council Response
Dreachd Phlana Ùghdarras nan Croitearan – Freagairt Chomhairle
na Gàidhealtachd
There is circulated Report No. ped-55-12 (196kb pdf) dated 5 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development introducing the Draft Crofting Commission Plan and a response already submitted by the Highland Council. The Council received the consultation on 12 August 2012 and submitted the response (Appendix 1) by the deadline of 31 August. A copy of the Draft Crofting Commission Plan is available on the Committee bulletin for information.
The Committee is asked to:
i. consider the Draft Crofting Commission Plan and the response already
submitted on behalf of the Highland Council, and;
ii. homologate the response, together with any additional comments Members
wish to be submitted to the Crofting Commission.
13. Academy Street, Inverness – Conservation Area Regeneration
Scheme/ Townscape Heritage Initiative
Sràid na h-Acadamaidh, Inbhir Nis – Sgeama Ath-nuadhachaidh
Sgìre Glèidhteachais / Iomairt Dualchais Deilbh-bhaile
There is circulated Report No. ped-56-12 (24kb pdf) dated 8 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development providing an update on the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS)/Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) funding applications for Academy Street, Inverness.
The Committee is asked to:
i. note progress with the submission of a CARS grant for Academy Street,
Inverness; and
ii. agree to include the £100,000 identified in the Planning and Development
Service capital programme for Academy Street to be allocated as match
funding for the CARS/THI bid, to provide match revenue funding as detailed
for any Stage 2 THI work required, and to investigate, during any Stage 2
work, further financial contributions that could be made from the Planning
and Development Service, as well as other opportunities within the Council.
14. Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership
Advisory Board Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas Bòrd Comhairleachaidh Com-pàirteachas Ath-
nuadhachaidh Ghallaibh agus Chataibh a Tuath
There are circulated for noting minutes of the meeting of the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Advisory Board held on 20 February 2012 (47kb pdf).
15. Minutes
Geàrr-chunntas
There are circulated separately in Booklet A for noting Minutes of the Planning Applications Committees (PACs) for:-
i. North PAC 19 June 2012
ii. South PAC 26 June 2012
16. Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003: Nominations of External
Members to Local Access Fora
Achd Ath-leasachaidh Fearainn (Alba) 2003: Buill bhon Taobh A-
muigh gan Ainmeachadh airson Fòraim Inntrigidh
There is circulated Report No. ped-57-12 (28kb pdf) dated 5 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development seeking Committee approval of nominations and agreement to appoint a number of external members to fill vacancies in the six Local Access Fora currently operating in Highland. It also seeks authority to confirm the extension of the appointment of continuing Local Access Forum Members from January 2013 to August 2016, to align the external Local Access Forum appointments with those of Highland Council councillor nominations.
The report also seeks delegated authority for the Director of Planning and Development, in consultation with the Char and Vice-Chair of the Committee, to appoint external members to the Local Access Fora in the intervening period as vacancies arise.
The Committee is asked to:
i. approve the extension to the appointments of those Local Access Forum
members who wish to continue their membership, for the reasons outlined
in Section 3.3 of the report, to August 2016;
ii. confirm the appointment of persons nominated to fill the vacancies in Local
Access Fora as detailed in Section 3.6 of the report to serve on the Local
Access Fora until August 2016; and
iii. agree to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Development, in
consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning, Environment and
Development Committee, to appoint external members to fill the remaining
vacancies on the Local Access Fora, other than that of the Land Manager
Representative to the Ross & Cromarty Local Access Forum, to be
determined at item 18 below, and to appoint to fill vacancies in future as they arise.
17. Exclusion of the Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill
The Committee is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act, the relevant Paragraphs being shown.
18. Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003: Nominations of External
Members to Local Access Fora (continued)
Achd Ath-leasachaidh Fearainn (Alba) 2003: Buill bhon Taobh A-
muigh gan Ainmeachadh airson Fòraim Inntrigidh (a’ leantainn)
Paragraph 1
Further to item 16 above, there is circulated to Members only Appendix 1 to Report No. Ped57/12 dated 5 September 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development setting out the details of 2 candidates for the position of Land Manager Representative to the Ross & Cromarty Local Access Forum.
The Committee is asked to consider and determine the appointment of the Land Manager Representative to the Ross & Cromarty Local Access Forum from the two candidates detailed.
19. Inverness Airport Business Park – Annual Report
Pàirc Ghnothachais Port-adhair Inbhir Nis – Aithisg Bhliadhnail
Paragraph 6
There is circulated for noting Report No. Ped58/12 dated 2 August 2012 by the Director of Planning and Development providing Members with updated information on the current financial position of Inverness Airport Business Park Limited.