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 Tuesday 18 June 2013 at 10.30 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,

Alaisdair Mackenzie, Legal Manager
(for Assistant Chief Executive)

1. Apologies
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 indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3. Confirmation of Minutes
Dearbhadh a’ Gheàrr-chunntais

There is submitted for confirmation as a correct record the Minutes of Meeting of the 21 May 2013.

4. Major Applications
Iarrtasan Mòra

There is circulated Report No PLN-055-13 (134kb pdf) by the Head of Planning and Building Standards providing a summary of all cases within the “Major” development category currently with the Planning and Development Service for determination.

5. Continued Items
Cuspairean a' Leantain

5.1  Applicant:  WKN Sallachy Limited (11/04718/S36) (PLN-056-13 (1667kb pdf)) (PLN-045-13 Part 1 (1833kb pdf) | PLN-045-13 Part 2 (1629kb pdf) | Cumulative Map - Glencassley (765kb pdf) | Sallachy and Glencassley Route Map (1264kb pdf))
Location:  Sallachy Wind Farm, Sallachy and Duchally Estate, Lairg (Ward 1)
Nature of Development:  Wind farm 66 MW / 22 Turbines with associated infrastructure -
Recommendation:  Raise no Objection.

5.2  Applicant:  Mr Alpin MacDonald (13/00624/FUL) (PLN-057-13 (818kb pdf) | PLN-050-13 (1789kb pdf))
Location: Land 50 m SE of 4 Swordale Cottages, Evanton
Nature of Development: Erection of 3 houses and 3 garages
Recommendation: Grant.

6. Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh

There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/058/13 - PLN/071/13 by the Area Planning Manager North as follows:-

6.1  Applicant:  Ms Reneta Coleman (11/03025/PIP) (PLN-058-13 (504kb pdf))
Location:  Land 260 m NW of Birch Cottage, Rogart (Ward 5)
Nature of Development: Erection of house, installation of septic tank, soakaway and upgrade of access (Site 1)
Recommendation: Grant.

6.2  Applicant:  Messrs D B Angus (12/01234/FUL) (PLN-059-13 (1418kb pdf))
Location:  Land 210 m SWE of Kennelfields, Mey (Ward 4)
Nature of Development:  The installation of a single 80 kw turbine, with a hub height of 18.9 m and height to blade tip of 27.9 m, with associated meter house and access track, as amended
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.3  Applicant:  Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (12/01659/S36) (PLN-060-13 Part 1 (1740kb pdf) | PLN-060-13 Part 2 (846kb pdf) | PLN-060-13 Part 3 (1760kb pdf) | PLN-060-13 Part 4 (299kb pdf))
Location:  Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, Ulbster, Lybster (Ward 4)
Nature of Development:  Construction and operation of an offshore wind farm and associated electricity transmission works in the Moray Firth
Recommendation:  Raise no objection.

6.4  Applicant:  The Highland Council (13/00580/FUL) (PLN-061-13 (849kb pdf))
Location:  Former Yard, Clyde Street, Invergordon (Ward 7)
Nature of Development:  Erection of 12 flats with related parking and landscaping
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.5  Applicant:  Mr Michael Johnson (13/00880/FUL) (PLN-062-13 Sup (11kb pdf) | PLN-062-13 (678kb pdf))
Location:  Land 25 m NE of Old Schoolhouse, Arinacrinachd, Arrina, Strathcarron (Ward 6)
Nature of Development:  Erection of house
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.6  Applicant:  The Highland Council (13/00890/FUL) (PLN-063-13 Sup (11kb pdf) | PLN-063-13 (951kb pdf))
Location:  Land to NE of Kirkton Gardens, Lochcarron (Ward 6)
Nature of Development:  Erection of four flats and two semi-detached houses
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.7  Applicant:  SSE Renewables (13/00916/FUL) (PLN-064-13 (737kb pdf))
Location:  Gordonbush Lodge, Brora, KW9 6LX (Ward 5)
Nature of Development:  Replacement of existing bridge and associated minor road alterations to Allt Smeorail, Gordonbush
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.8 Applicant:  Mr Austin Durrant (13/01108/FUL)(PLN-065-13 (358kb pdf))
Location:  Pitgrudy Caravan Park, Dornoch, IV25 3HY (Ward 5)
Nature of Development:  Erection of bar/leisure building
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.9  Applicant:  The Highland Council (13/01379/FUL) (PLN-066-13 (410kb pdf))
Location:  Bridgend Primary School, Ardross Road, Alness, IV17 0QA (Ward 7)
Nature of Development:  Demolition of Janitor’s house and formation of car parking area
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.10  Applicant:  The Highland Council (13/01504/FUL and 13/01505/LBC) (PLN-067-13 (1761kb pdf))
Location:  2 and 4 Allan Square, Cromarty, IV11 8YF (Ward 10)
Nature of Development: Installation of replacement timber sash and case windows and timber doors
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.11  Applicant:  The Highland Council (13/01534/FUL) (PLN-068-13 (931kb pdf))
Location:  Thurso Swimming Pool, Millbank Road, Thurso, KW14 8PS (Ward 2)
Nature of Development:  Proposed extension to provide gym and dance studio facilities – amendment to consent No 12/03027/FUL
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.12  Applicant:  The Highland Council (13/01591/FUL and 13/01592/LBC) (PLN-069-13 (463kb pdf))
Location:  Dingwall Town House, 65 High Street, Dingwall, IV15 9RY (Ward 9)
Nature of Development:  Repair and reinstatement works to clock tower, renovation of clock, installation of lighting and renewal of harl finish to tower
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.13  Applicant:  The Highland Council (13/01763/FUL) (PLN-070-13 (779kb pdf))
Location:  North Kessock Primary School, Ferry Brae, North Kessock, IV1 3WX (Ward 10)
Nature of Development:  Installation of biomass boiler
Recommendation:  Grant.

6.14  Applicant:  The Highland Council Education, Culture and Sport (13/01784/FUL) (PLN-071-13 (482kb pdf))
Location:  51 Princes Street, Thurso, KQ14 7AB (Ward 2)
Nature of Development:  Change of use from Class 2 (Office) to Class 10 (Library)
Recommendation:  Grant.

7. Decisions of Appeals to the Scottish Government Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals
Co-dhùnaidhean Ath-thagraidhean do Bhuidheann-stiùiridh Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson Ath-thagraidhean Dealbhaidh agus Àrainneachd

7.1  Applicant: Miss Elaine Holmes (13/00007/FUL)
Location: Land 50 m West of Schiehallion, Torridon (Ward 6)
Nature of Development: Erection of house and agricultural building

Members will recall refusing the above application at the Committee meeting of 19 March 2013 in accordance with the recommendation.  An appeal has now been lodged against the decision to refuse and this will be considered under the Written Submissions procedures and a site visit.  Members will be advised of the outcome in due course.

7.2  Section 36 Application for the Dunbeath Wind Powered Electricity Generating Station, Dunbeath Estate, Caithness  

There is circulated Letter (227kb pdf) from the Energy and Climate Change Directorate – Energy Division setting out the decision of the Scottish Ministers to refuse the Section 36 Dunbeath Wind Farm application.  The Council had been supportive and recommended no objections being raised but SNH had objected to the development.  As can be seen from the attached document the Public Inquiry Reporter did not support the application and dismissed the proposal. 

7.3  Applicant: Bright Spark Energy Limited (12/01650/FUL) (PPA-270-2087)
Location: Davidston Farm, near Cromarty, IV11 8XX (Ward 10)
Nature of Development: Erection of three 800 kw wind turbines on towers 49.7 metres to the hub and blades with a diameter of 48 metres

Members will recall refusing the above application at the Committee meeting of the 15 January 2013.  There is circulated the Decision letter from the Scottish Government Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals  setting out the decision of the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers to refuse the planning application.