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 24 September 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/057/25 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. Proposal of Application Notice Update
Leasachaidhean Mòra – Co-chomhairle Ro-iarrtais

There is circulated Report No PLN/058/25 by the Area Planning Manager – North.

The Committee is invited to note the applications.

6. Continued Applications
Cuspairean a' Leantainn

6.1
Applicant: Arise AB (21/04984/S36) (PLN/059/25)
Location: Land At Tormsdale 1500M South of Bridge of Westerdale, Halkirk (Ward 03).
Nature of Development: Tormsdale Wind Farm - Erection and operation of wind farm for period of 50 (previously 30 years), comprising of 9 wind turbines (previously 10) with maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, substation, control building, Battery Energy Storage System, and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: RAISE AN OBJECTION

6.2
Applicant: Mey Energy Storage Limited (24/02621/S36) (PLN/060/25)
Location: Land 700M East Of Woodlands Mey (Ward 03).
Nature of Development: Installation of a battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure with a generating capacity of up 300mw located on land at Phillips Mains Farm - This case will be determined by the Energy Consents Unit.
Recommendation: WITHDRAW THE PREVIOUS OBJECTION

7. Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/061/25 to PLN/065/25 by the Area Planning Manager - North which are as follows:-

7.1
Applicant: Miss Sarah Renwick (25/00949/FUL) (PLN/061/25)
Location: 4 Corntown Dairy, Conon Bridge (Ward 09).
Nature of Development: Erection of a House.
Recommendation: GRANT

7.2
Applicant: E Power Ltd (23/02754/S36) (PLN/062/25)
Location: Land 3450M North of Kaytoo, Heights Of Dochcarty, Dingwall (Ward 06).
Nature of Development: Abhainn Dubh Wind Farm - Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 30 years, comprising of 9 wind turbines (as amended) with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, energy storage facility, access tracks, borrow pits, substation, anemometer mast, control building, and ancillary infrastructure
Recommendation: RAISE NO OBJECTION

7.3
Applicant: Whirlwind Renewables (25/01306/FUL) (PLN/063/25)
Location: Achlachan Wind Farm, Watten (Ward 03).
Nature of Development: Achlachan Wind Farm 2 Redesign - Erection and operation of a wind farm for a period of 40 years, comprising of up to 2 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m, access tracks, hardstandings and ancillary infrastructure.
Recommendation: GRANT

7.4
Applicant: Field Rigifa Limited (25/00307/S36) (PLN/064/25)
Location: Land 625m southwest of 1 Phillips Mains, Mey (Ward 03).
Nature of Development: Rigifa BESS - Construction and operation of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) over 200MW with associated infrastructure including underground grid connection, landscaping and ancillary works.
Recommendation: RAISE NO OBJECTION

7.5
Applicant: J Murphy And Sons Limited (25/02502/FUL) (PLN/065/25)
Location: Bridgend, Georgemas, Halkirk (Ward 03).
Nature of Development: Temporary works compound in connection with the SSEN ASTI Framework - LT428 Banniskirk to Carnaig 400kV.
Recommendation: GRANT

8. Decisions by Scottish Ministers and Reporters appointed by the Scottish Government
Co-dhùnaidhean le Ministearan na h-Alba agus Luchd-aithisg air an cur an dreuchd le Riaghaltas na h-Alba

8.1
Applicant: Gary Robinson (24/01710/FUL)
Location: Land 75M Nw Of Pollbreac, Coldwell, North Kessock, IV1 3XQ
Nature of Development: Erection of House and Garage

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter to allow the appeal and grant planning permission subject to the six conditions contained in the decision notice.

8.2
Applicant: Cromarty Harbour Trust (24/00352/LBC)
Location: Cromarty Harbour, George Street, Cromarty, IV11 8YL
Nature of Development: Erection of a new gate

The Committee is invited to note the decision of the Reporter to allow the appeal and grant listed building consent.