Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on 14 May 2025 at 10.45 am, or at the conclusion of the site visit, whichever is the later. 

Please note the later start time and the site visit that will take place at 9.30am. Only those Members in attendance at the site visit will be able to participate in the consideration of that Item (Item 5.1).

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. For those participating remotely, please remain on camera and advise the Chair of any loss of connection, no matter how brief. 

Members are further reminded that while mobile devices, including mobile phones, can be used for following the agenda/reports and delivering speeches in the Chamber, they are not permitted to be used to participate in the meeting remotely as the screen is of insufficient size to consider the plans presented to you. In addition, mobile devices are not permitted to be used for any form of communication (text or social media post) during the meeting.

Yours faithfully 

Arlene Gibbs, Principal Solicitor
(for Chief Officer – Legal and 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 the meeting of the South Planning Applications Committee held on 02 April 2025.

4.  Major Development Update
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLS/23/25 by the Area Planning Manager - South which, provides a summary of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination. 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.  Continued Item
Cuspairean a' Leantainn 

5.1  Applicant: Culduthel Woods Group (24/04228/FUL) (PLS/24/25)
Location: Land 75M NE Of Culduthel Avenue, Inverness (Ward 15).
Nature of Development: Entrance and path improvement works, pond habitat enhancement, stone walling, drainage works.
Recommendation: GRANT. 

6.  Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLS/25/25 to PLS/28/25 by the Area Planning Manager - South which are as follows:-

6.1  Applicant: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (25/00051/S37) (PLS/25/25)
Location: Deanie Power Station, Deanie, Strathfarrar, Kiltarlity, Beauly, IV47JX (Ward 12). 
Nature of Development: Glen Strathfarrar Vista - Construction of a replacement steel lattice tower with 132kV and 33kV downleads into a combined cable sealing end compound (CSE). Installation of new overhead line between the proposed new Tower 13R and existing Tower 14, along with the construction of a dedicated permanent access track from the new CSE compound to Glenstrathfarrar road.
Recommendation: RAISE NO OBJECTION

6.2  Applicant: Mr W MacIntyre (24/04051/FUL) (PLS/26/25)
Location: Land 90M SW Of Brackletter Lodge, Spean Bridge (Ward 11).
Nature of Development: Erection of 3 holiday pods (retrospective).
Recommendation: GRANT

6.3  Applicant: Mr J Sweeney (25/00196/FUL) (PLS/27/25)
Location: Land 15M East of Milnfield, 83 Kingmills Road, Inverness (Ward 16).
Nature of Development: Change of use from garage/workshop to house.
Recommendation: GRANT

6.4  Applicant: Mr & Mrs Paula Grant (25/00486/FUL) (PLS/28/25)
Location: 10 Kingston Place, Stratton, Inverness, IV2 7BH (Ward 17).
Nature of Development: Erection of extensions.
Recommendation: GRANT

7.  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

7.1  Applicant: Gilkes Energy Ltd on behalf of Earba Ltd (24/01056/S36) (PLS/29/25)
Location: Land 4200M SE of Moy Lodge, Tulloch, Roy Bridge (Ward 21)
Nature of Development:  Earba Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Scheme - Construction and operation of a pumped storage hydroelectric scheme with a generating capacity of  1,800MW and a 40GWh storage capacity.

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to allow the appeal made under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 and to grant planning permission.