• Agenda

Minute of Special Meeting of the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Planning Applications and Review Committee held in the Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Tuesday 4 September 2007

Present:

Mr D Mackay

Mr R Rowantree

Lady M Thurso

Mr G Smith

Mr D Bremner

Mr R Coghill

Non-members also present:

Mr D Flear

Mr W Mackay

In Attendance:

Mrs F Sinclair, Area Solicitor

Mr I Ewart, Team Leader, Planning and Development Service

Mr D Mackay in the Chair

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr J McGilliviray, Mr M Rattray and Mrs C Wilson all on other Council business, and Mr G Farlow, Mr W Fernie, Mr W Ross and Mr R Durham.

2. Planning Application

Alterations to Workshops (Revised Plans) at Units to North West of Radio Station, Neil Gunn Drive, Ormlie Industrial Estate, Thurso for E Petrie (07/00372/FULCA) 

There had been re-circulated report PLC-23-07 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending approval of the application 07/00372/FULCA by E Petrie for alterations to workshops (revised plans) at Units to north west of Radio Station, Neil Gunn Drive, Ormlie Industrial Estate, Thurso.  At its meeting on 28th August 2007, the Committee had agreed to continue consideration of the application, pending a site inspection to be held on Tuesday 4 September 2007 at 10.30am with particular reference to the level of the site of the proposed development in relation to the level of the neighbouring housing development. 

Immediately prior to the meeting all members present at the meeting had gathered at Neil Gunn Drive to inspect the site at 10.30 am accompanied by Mr Ewart, Mrs Sinclair and a number of objectors. 

Mr Ewart explained that the building under construction was different to the proposal which had been granted planning permission.  An application for retrospective planning permission had then been made and eight letters of objection had been received, the grounds of which had been narrated in paragraph 3.1of the Committee report. 

With reference to the suggestion made at the meeting on 28th August that the application site had been raised as part of this development Mr Ewart explained that an application had been granted in 1989 for construction of Neil Gunn Drive and the formation of development platforms for industrial development.  The site of the development under consideration had at that time been made up to its existing level.  The objectors live in a residential area neighbouring the industrial site.  Mr Ewart advised the Committee that although development had commenced without planning consent the units under construction are standard industrial units and not overly intrusive.  He invited the Committee to consider the application on its merits.

During discussion, the Committee members expressed grave concern that the development had commenced without planning permission.  Members considered the conditions which had been attached to the original consent for the formation of the development platforms in 1989, noted that although the present development was located in an area designated for industrial use it was on the boundary of a residential area and considered that the landscaping and boundary treatments should be given special consideration because of this. 

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to continue consideration of the application until a future meeting in order to afford the applicant the opportunity to produce to the Planning Officer a scheme for improving the appearance of the front elevation of the building using appropriate materials and landscaping and boundary treatments which would ameliorate the impact of the building on neighbouring properties to the satisfaction of the Committee.        

3. Next Meeting

The Committee agreed that to cancel the next meeting of the Committee scheduled to take place on 18th September, there being insufficient urgent business.  The Committee noted that the next meeting of the Committee will therefore take place in Wick on Tuesday 23rd October.