Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee will take place remotely via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 26 April 2022 at 10.00 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

Karen Lyons, Principal Solicitor – Planning
(for Head of Corporate Governance)

1.  Apologies for Absence
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 provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.  Confirmation of Minutes 
Dearbhadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There are submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee held on 15 March 2022.

4.  Major Development Update 
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/022/22 (Plans pp 1 - 10) by the Acting Head of Development Management – Highland which, provides a summary of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination and identifies those proposed applications which have Proposal of Application Notice (PAN). The report also details progress on proposals submitted under S36 or S37 of the Electricity Act 1989 on which the Council is consulted.

The Committee is invited to note the current position of these applications.

5.  Major Developments – Pre-application consultations 
Leasachaidhean Mòra – Co-chomhairle Ro-iarrtais

5.1 Description: Lochend Extension Wind Farm – Erection and operation of a wind farm comprising 5 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 150 m and a total capacity of up to 21 MW and ancillary infrastructure. (22/00436/PAN) (PLN/023/22)
Ward: 2
Applicant: CWE Lochend Limited  
Site Address: Land 600M NE of 10 Lochend Holding, Barrock.

5.2 Description: Battery storage facility with capacity up to 50 MW, access and associated infrastructure (22/01308/PAN) (PLN/024/22)
Ward: 6
Applicant: Intelligent Land Investments Group Plc
Site Address: Land at Mid Balnacraig, Alness, Ross Shire IV17 0XL.

6.  Continued Item 
Cuspairean a' Leantainn

6.1  Applicant: Mr Clarck Nussey (21/04050/PIP) (PLN/025/22) (PLN/096/21)
Location: 84 East Helmsdale, Strath Road, Helmsdale, KW8 6JL (Ward 4).
Nature of Development: Erection of house and formation of access.
Recommendation: Grant.

7.  Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/026/22 to PLN/039/22 by the Acting Head of Development Management – Highland which are as follows:-

7.1  Applicant: REG Strath Tirry Limited (20/05067/FUL) (PLN/026/22)
Location: Land 1450M NE of Dalmichie, Lairg (Ward 1).
Nature of Development: Strath Tirry Wind Farm – Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 30 years, comprising of 4 wind turbines and a maximum blade tip height of 135m, access tracks, borrow pits, substation, control building, meteorological mast and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: Refuse.  

7.2  Applicant: WKN Sallachy Ltd (21/01615/FUL) (PLN/027/22)
Location: Land at Sallachy Estate, Lairg (Ward 1).
Nature of Development: Sallachy Wind Farm – Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 30 years, comprising of 9 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9 m, access tracks, temporary borrow pits and construction compound, substation compound and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: Grant.  

7.3  Applicant: Cogle Moss Renewables LLP (22/00462/S42) (PLN/028/22)
Location: Land 477M NE of Blackpark, Watten (Ward 3).
Nature of Development: Application for non-compliance with condition 1 (commencement of development) and condition 13 (archaeology) of planning permission 15/02769/FUL.
Recommendation: Grant.  

7.4 Applicant: The Highland Council (21/05639/FUL) (PLN/029/22)
Location: Craighill School, Craighill Terrace, Tain, IV19 1EU (Ward 7).
Nature of Development: Erection of community campus including nursery, school, playgrounds, sport pitches and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Grant.  

7.5  Applicant: Mr Martin Brown (20/03725/PIP, 20/03720/PIP and 20/03722/PIP) (PLN/030/22)
Location: Land to East of Smithy House, Ardross, Alness (Ward 6).
Nature of Development: Formation of three house plots.
Recommendation: Grant.  

7.6 Applicant: Mr David MacDonald (21/04622/FUL) (PLN/031/22)
Location: Land 15M NW of Lower Flat, Hill House, Stormy Hill Road, Portree (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Material change of use of existing class 1 first floor to domestic class 9 residential and proposed change of use of existing ground floor shop to beauty bar.
Recommendation: Refuse.

7.7 Applicant: Mr Scott Paton (21/01171/FUL) (PLN/032/22)
Location: Land 120 m South of Strawberry Lea, Knockbreck Gardens, Tain (Ward 7).
Nature of Development: Erection of showroom and workshop building with associated parking.  Formation of access road and service yard area.  Change of use of land to community allotment use.
Recommendation: Grant.

7.8 Applicant: Ossian Developments Ltd (21/04108/FUL) (PLN/033/22)
Location:  Land 50M NW of Caberfeidh Braes, Ullapool (Ward 5)
Nature of Development: Siting of 9 pods and 2 staff accommodation buildings.
Recommendation: Grant.

7.9 Applicant:  The Highland Council (21/04788/FUL) (PLN/034/22)
Location: Dunvegan Primary School, Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Mixed use Masterplan comprising 16 residential units, primary school, outdoor sports facilities and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: Grant.  

7.10 Applicant: Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association (21/04800/FUL) (PLN/035/22)
Location: Land 90M SE of Dunvegan Primary School, Colbost, Dunvegan (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Erection of 16 affordable housing units and access road.
Recommendation: Grant.  

7.11 Applicant: Campbell Dickson (21/05642/S42) (PLN/036/22)
Location: Rosedale Hotel, Beaumount Crescent, Portree (Ward 1).
Nature of Development: Application under section 42 to remove condition 1 of planning permission 21/00146/FUL.
Recommendation: Grant.

7.12 Applicant: Mr and Mrs Turner (22/00024/FUL) (PLN/037/22)
Location: Land to East of 12 Drynie Park, Muir of Ord (Ward 8).
Nature of Development: Erection of house and garage.
Recommendation: Refuse.  

7.13 Applicant: Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust (22/00337/FUL) (PLN/038/22)
Location: Land 40M East of South Bonar Public Toilets, Ardgay (Ward 1).
Nature of Development: Construction of shelter containing wc and shower facilities, provision of services to provide serviced overnight parking and camping site.
Recommendation: Refuse.

7.14  Applicant: Mr and Mrs McGlinn (21/05603/FUL) (PLN/039/22)
Location: Braetongue Croft, 40 Brae Tongue, Tongue (Ward 1).
Nature of Development: Erection of house and 2 holiday lodges.
Recommendation: Refuse.

8.  Decision of Appeals to the Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division 
Co-dhùnadh mu Iarrtas do Bhuidheann-stiùiridh Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson Lùth agus Atharrachadh Aimsir

8.1 Applicant: Energiekontor UK Ltd (20/00180/FUL) (PPA-270-2251)
Location: Land at Braemore Road, Dubeath (Ward 01)
Nature of Development:  Erection of 6 wind turbines with a maximum height of up to 149.9 m and associated infrastructure. 

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to dismiss the appeal made under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and to refuse planning permission for the reasons stated in the Decision Letter.