Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 6 August 2025 at 9.30 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 

Arlene Gibbs, Principal Solicitor – Planning 
(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 Meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee held on 11 June 2025.

4. Major Development Update    
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN/045/25 by the Area Planning Manager - North 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.Major Developments – Pre-application consultations    
Leasachaidhean Mòra – Co-chomhairle Ro-iarrtais

There is circulated Report No PLN/046/25 by the Area Planning Manager – North.

The Committee is invited to note the current pre-application notices.

6.Planning Applications to be Determined    
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/047/25 to PLN/056/25 by the Area Planning Manager - North which are as follows:-

6.1  
Applicant: Caledonia North Offshore Ltd. (24/05124//S36) (PLN/047/25)
Location: Land 50 KM SE of Wick Harbour, Harbour Road, Wick (Ward 03). 
Nature of Development: Caledonia North Offshore Wind Farm - construction and operation of an offshore wind farm comprising up to 77 turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 355m, subsea interconnector and export cabling and associated infrastructure.
Recommendation: Raise No Objection

6.2 
Applicant: Whirlwind Energy Storage Limited (24/03500/FUL) (PLN/048/25)
Location: Land 530M South Of Geiselittle Farm, Thurso (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), accommodating 64 battery storage cabinets, landscaping and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
6.3 
Applicant: Forss Energy Storage Limited (24/04585/FUL) (PLN/049/25)
Location: Land 190M West Of Lythmore House South Wing, 21 Forss Business And Technology Park, Forss, Thurso (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Construction and operation of a Battery Energy Storage System with a capacity of 49.9MW consisting of battery storage modules and associated infrastructure including fencing, control buildings, substations and CCTV
Recommendation: GRANT 
     
6.4 
Applicant: Albyn Housing Society (24/02782/FUL) (PLN/050/25)
Location: Land 70M SE of 26 Seaforth Road, Tain (Ward 07).    
Nature of Development: Erection of 16no. houses
Recommendation: GRANT
     
6.5 
Applicant: Albyn Housing Society (24/04124/FUL) (PLN/051/25)
Location: Land 60m West of 44 David Ross Street, Alness. (Ward 06).
Nature of Development: Erection of 36no. houses
Recommendation: APPROVE  
     
6.6 
Applicant: Barry Property Ltd (24/02439/FUL) (PLN/052/25)
Location: Former Bridgend Building Supplies Yard, Bridgend, Thurso (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Change of use of land to form holiday park.
Recommendation: REFUSAL 
     
6.7 
Applicant: Mr & Mrs William & Marlene Lipka (25/01063/FUL) (PLN/053/25)
Location: 15 Riverside Place, Thurso, KW14 8BZ (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Extension and change of use from house to paint & 
decoration supply business (in retrospect).
Recommendation: REFUSE 

6.8  
Applicant: Mr & Mrs William & Marlene Lipka (25/01210/LBC) (PLN/054/25)
Location: 15 Riverside Place, Thurso, KW14 8BZ (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Extension and change of use from house to paint & 
decoration supply business (in retrospect).
Recommendation: REFUSE

6.9 
Applicant: Mrs Catherine Prentice (24/03163/PIP) (PLN/055/25)
Location: Land 65M NE Of 4 Dunan, Broadford, Isle Of Skye (Ward 10).
Nature of Development: Erection of house.
Recommendation: REFUSE

6.10
Applicant: Mrs Iwona Gawin (25/00812/FUL) (PLN/056/25)
Location: Land 130M NW Of Heatherlea, Brough (Ward 02).
Nature of Development: Siting of 3no. glamping pods for short-term letting.
Recommendation: GRANT 

7. Decision under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 by Scottish Ministers                                             

Applicant: Offshore Wind Power Limited (23/04930/S36)
Location: 28 kilometres West of Hoy, Orkney and 23 km North of the Caithness Coast
Nature of Development: Construction and Operation of Offshore Generating Station and Offshore Transmission Infrastructure (West Orkney Windfarm) 

The Committee is invited to note the decision by Scottish Ministers to grant consent for the reasons given in the Decision Notice