• Agenda

Minute of the meeting of the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Planning Applications Committee held in the Duthac Centre, Shandwick Street, Tain on  Tuesday, 7th June 2011 at 10.30 am.

Committee Members Present

Mr Richard Durham
Mr George Farlow
Mr Bill Fernie
Mr Donnie Mackay
Mr Jim McGillivray
Mr Ian Ross
Mr Graeme Smith

Non-Committee Members Present:

Mr Willie MacKay (Local Member Vote for item 3.1)

Officials in attendance:

Mr Alaisdair Mackenzie, Area Solicitor
Mr Allan Todd, Area Planning and Building Standards Manager
Mr Bob Robertson, Principal Planner
Mrs Dorothy Stott, Principal Planner
Ms Lisa MacKenzie, Planner
Mr Simon Hindson, Planner
Mr Campbell Stewart, Area Roads and Community Works Manager
Mr Chris Ratter, Area Environmental Health Manager, TECS
Mrs Alison MacArthur, Acting Administrative Assistant

Also in Attendance:

Mr Dafydd Jones, Area Planning and Building Standards Manager, Ross, Skye and Lochaber Area
Mr David Chisholm

Mr Donnie Mackay in the Chair

Business

1. Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interest

Apologies were received from Mr Robert Coghill.  

There were no declarations of interest.

2. Confirmation of Minutes

There had been circulated for confirmation the minutes of the Committee meetings held on

(a)  26th April 2011 and

(b)  10th May 2011. 

The minutes were held as read and approved.

3.   Planning Applications

3.1   Applicant:  Messrs D B Angus (10/04718/FUL) (PLC-022-11 (1758kb pdf))
Location:  Barrogill Mains, Mey 
Nature of Development: Installation of one 20 kW Wind Turbine 20.6 metres High to Hub  (as Amended)

There had been circulated Report No PLC/022/11 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending the refusal of planning permission for the reasons detailed therein. 

Following discussion, Mr Donnie Mackay, seconded by Mr Ian Ross moved that recommendation for refusal be agreed. 

Mr Willie MacKay moved an amendment to approve the application but there being no seconder the amendment fell, and the motion became the finding of the meeting.

3.2   Applicant:  Mr James Gagan (11/00064/FUL) (PLC-023-11 (1513kb pdf) )
Location:  Land at Coul Croft, Edderton, Tain 
Nature of Development: Construction of Camping/Caravan Site and Associated Access Roads, Services, Reception/Ablutions Building, Temporary Camping Shelters and Self Catering Lodges 

There had been circulated Report No PLC/023/11 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending the grant of planning permission subject to the conditions detailed therein. 

Prior to the presentation of the Report, Mr George Farlow asked if the application could be deferred for a site visit where the impact of the development on the site could be better appreciated. 

Mr Jim McGillivray advised that he had further information he would like the opportunity to request from the Planning Officers and would support a site visit. 

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the application to a special meeting of the Committee to be held following a site visit on 28th June 2011 at 10.30 am.

3.3   Applicant:  Mr Ian Chapman (11/00595/PIP) (PLC-024-11 (628kb pdf))
Location:  Land at Badachonacher House, Newmore, Invergordon
Nature of Development: Erection of House and Formation of Access

There had been circulated Report No PLC/024/11 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending the grant of planning permission subject to the conditions detailed therein. 

The Committee agreed the recommendation.

3.4   Applicant:  Peninsula Hospitality (11/00898/PIP) (PLC-025-11 (907kb pdf) )
Location:  Land to the North of Balintore Hotel, Balintore
Nature of Development: Housing Development for 3 Units, Car Parking, Site Works and Services.  Demolition of Existing Chalet Type Development 

There had been circulated Report No PLC/025/11 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending the grant of planning permission subject to the conditions detailed therein. 

Following discussion, Mr Donnie Mackay, seconded by Mr Bill Fernie moved that the recommendation be agreed. 

Mr Richard Durham moved as an amendment that the application be refused for the following reasons:-

(i)  this proposal for further infill development does not take account of the character of the pattern and design of the existing “fishertown” houses. 

(ii) the Background Policy 3 (BP3) states that the Council will only approve development if there are no significant effects on heritage, amenity, public health and safety interests. The erection of the three houses as proposed will undoubtedly have a significant detrimental impact on the amenity of the adjoining house and Hotel and raises infrastructure issues in that the site contains areas of excessive slope beside the cemetery.

There being no seconder for the amendment it fell and accordingly the motion became the finding of the meeting.

3.5   Applicant:  North British Windpower Ltd (11/00927/FUL) (PLC-026-11 (1630kb pdf) )
Location:  Land on Skelpick Estate 3 km South East of Bettyhill 
Nature of Development: Widening of the Paved Bellmouth Entrance to Bettyhill Windfarm.  Relocation of Switchgear Control Building from the Approved Position.

There had been circulated Report No PLC/026/11 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending the grant of planning permission subject to the conditions detailed therein. 

The Committee agreed the recommendation.

3.6   Applicant:  The Highland Council (11/01241/FUL) (PLC-027-11 (1265kb pdf))
Location:  Park Primary School, Albany Road, Invergordon
Nature of Development: Erection of Biomass Heating Cabin and Relocation of Oil Tank 

There had been circulated Report No PLC/027/11 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending the grant of planning permission subject to the conditions detailed therein. 

Mrs Dorothy Stott updated the Committee by advising that Invergordon Community Council had now responded to consultation indicating that they had no objection to the proposal.

The Committee agreed the recommendation

3.7   Applicant:  Dornoch Developments Ltd (11/01382/FUL) (PLC-028-11 Part 1 (1667kb pdf)   |   PLC-028-11 Part 2 (1651kb pdf)   |    PLC-028-11 Part 3 (1373kb pdf))
Location:  Royal Golf Hotel, Grange Road, Dornoch, IV25 3LG
Nature of Development: Amendment of Design for Erection of 37 No Holiday Apartments Including Car Parking and Landscaping

There had been circulated Report No PLC/028/11 by the Area Planning and Building Standards Manager recommending the grant of planning permission subject to the conditions detailed therein.

Mr Bob Robertson presented the Report and apologised for it being late which was due to the late resolution of matters concerning the trees on site.  He amended his recommendation as follows:

The following amended condition 5:

“5.  All drainage arrangements shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority in consultation with the Building Standards Authority and Scottish Water.  For the avoidance of doubt, foul drainage shall be by means of a connection to the public sewer.  Surface water drainage shall be undertaken using the best practice of SuDS and as detailed on Drawing No.PL003 Rev B docquetted hereto, or as may otherwise be agreed in writing with the Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development.

Reason: In the interests of amenity and to ensure that the site is adequately drained.”

The following additional condition details of which would be agreed with the local members present:

“18.    No development shall take place on site until the developer has submitted and had approved in writing by the Planning Authority cross section plans of the site showing existing and proposed ground levels and existing and proposed building positions relative to an agreed, fixed and easily identifiable datum point.  The sections shall be taken both north to south and east to west and shall show the position of existing buildings such as the Royal Golf Hotel, Ross House, Glensheil, Colonsay, Links House, Royal Dornoch Golf Club, 7 Argyle Street.  The plans shall also show details of any SuDS measures, retaining walls (including their finishes) and any areas of cut and fill.  The approved details shall thereafter be implemented by the developer.

Reason: In the interests of amenity and as no details have been provided.”

The Committee agreed the recommendation as amended above with the following further amendments:

1. The local members present would be consulted in due course when the details required by conditions 13 to 17 were submitted for approval; and

2. A further additional condition along the following lines, details of which would be agreed with the local members present:

“19.  No development shall take place on site until the developer has submitted written details and plans of proposed traffic management measures for Kennedy Avenue / Golf Road and Argyle Street / Grange Road for the agreement in writing of the Planning Authority in consultation with the Roads Authority.  The approved measures shall thereafter be implemented by the developer and at their expense.

Reason: In the interests of road safety.”

4. Delegated Decisions and Performance

The Committee noted the summary of delegated decisions on planning applications from 15 April 2011 to 26 May 2011 full details of which were available on the Members’ Bulletin and via The Highland Council website.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 12.05 pm.