Minutes of Meeting of the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Applications and Review Committee held in the Council Chamber, The Town House, Inverness on Tuesday 13 January 2009 at 10.00am.

Present:

Provost J Gray
Mr R Balfour
Mr I Brown
Miss J Campbell
Mr J Crawford
Mrs M Davidson
Mr J Finnie
Mr D Henderson
Mr J Holden
Mr D Kerr
Ms L MacDonald
Mr H Wood
Mr B Wynd

Non-Members also present:

Mrs B McAllister

Officials in attendance:

Ms S Blease, Solicitor (Clerk)
Mr D Polson, Area Planning and Building Standards Manager
Ms N Drummond, Planning Team Leader
Miss M MacLeod, Senior Administrative Assistant, Chief Executive’s Office

Business

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr S Black; Mr D Fallows; Mr A Graham; Mr J Macdonald; Mr S Park.

2. Minutes of Planning Applications and Review Committee

The Committee APPROVED the Minute of the Planning Applications and Review Committee held on 8 December 2008 subject to the following amendments:

Item 4.2 – Additional paragraph added as follows:
‘Mr J Finnie asked for it to be noted that as he had previously signed a petition against this development he had been advised by officers that he should not take part in the discussion or decision making process for this application.  He accordingly left the chamber for the duration of this item.’

Item 4.4 – paragraph 1 should read as follows:
‘Mr D Polson offered his apologies if certain comments made in his report were considered overly personal, which had not been his intention. He then summarised the report noting the concerns regarding neighbour notification.  However, Mr Polson assured members that he was satisfied that all neighbour notification requirements had been met.  It was drawn to the Committee’s attention, by Members, that the applicant had purchased the neighbouring farm – View Hill Farm and that this could have an impact on the application currently before Members.’

3. Protocol for the Use of Video-Conferencing Facilities

There had been circulated for noting a Draft Report – protocol for the Use of Video Conferencing Facilities.

The Committee NOTED the contents of the Report.

4. Planning Applications to be Determined

There had been circulated Reports Nos. PLI-001/09 – PLI-002/09 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager as follows:-

4.1 Erection of hotel and associated car parking for The European Development Co (Hotels) Ltd at Glebe Street, Inverness 08/00353/FULIN (PLI-001-09)

Members were informed that this application had been DEFERRED, to be considered at a future meeting. 

4.2  Formation of a camping ground and erection of toilet/shower/utility building, West of Stravaigers Lodge, Fort Augustus (08/00877/FULIN) (PLI-002-09)

The Committee GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions recommended in the Report.

5. Decisions of Appeals to the Scottish Government Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals

The Committee NOTED the outcomes of the Appeals, as listed below.

i. Planning Appeal (07/01129/OUTIN)- Land North of Ar Dachaidh, Culnakirk, Drumnadrochit         
Appeal against the decision of the Highland Council to refuse Planning Permission.
Appeal dismissed.

ii. Planning Appeal (08/00030/FULNA)- The Byre, Ardclach, Belivat, Nairn              
Appeal against the decision of the Highland Council to refuse Planning Permission.
Appeal allowed

iii. Planning Appeal  (IN.14.F.20)- 36 Drummond Road, Inverness, Drumnadrochit              
Appeal against the decision of the Highland Council to refuse consent for the felling or pruning of trees.
Appeal dismissed.

6. Delegated Decisions

The Committee NOTED that the list of delegated decisions of planning applications was available via The Highland Council Website.

The meeting ended at 10.20am