Agenda
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A site visit by the North Planning Applications Committee to view the proposed Tressady Wind Farm site will take place on Monday 17 February 2014 leaving from the Drummuie Council Offices, Drummuie, Golspie at 10.30 am (Site Visit Route Map (911kb pdf)). To be followed by a meeting to take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Tuesday 18 February 2014 at 10.30 am.
You are invited to attend and a note of the business to be considered is attached.
No lunch will be provided.
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 Depute 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 14 January 2014.
4. Major Applications
Iarrtasan Mòra
There is circulated Report No PLN-009-14 (76kb 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: Wind Prospects Developments Ltd (13/02749/FUL) (PLN-003-14 Part 1 (1845kb pdf) | PLN-003-14 Part 2 (837kb pdf)) Site Visit Route Map (911kb pdf)
Location: 1,600 m west of Craggiemore, Tressady Estate, Rogart (Ward 5)
Nature of Development: Wind farm (32.5 MW) consisting of 13 turbines, max tip height of 115 m, and associated infrastructure
Recommendation: Grant.
6. Planning Applications to be Determined
Iarrtasan Dealbhaidh rin Dearbhadh
There are circulated Reports Nos PLN/010/14 - PLN/019/14 by the Area Planning Manager North as follows:-
6.1 Applicant: Albyn Housing Society Ltd (13/01962FUL) (PLN-010-14 (193kb pdf))
Location: Land opposite 11-14 Ross Crescent and 12-14 Drovers Way, Milton (Ward 8)
Nature of Development: Change of use of communal areas of ground to provide private garden ground/car parking for 11-14 Ross Crescent and 12 and 14 Drovers Way
Recommendation: Grant
6.2 Applicant: Mr Jamie Stone (13/04565FUL) (PLN-011-14 (843kb pdf))
Location: Knockbreck House, Tain (Ward 8)
Nature of Development: Erection of garage
Recommendation: Grant
6.3 Applicant: Mr and Mrs A Mackay (13/03861FUL) (PLN-012-14 (1117kb pdf))
Location: 2 Lower Pitkerrie, Fearn, Tain, IV20 1TR (Ward 8)
Nature of Development: Demolition and replacement of 2No. single storey extensions – one of approximately 26m² (kitchen) being replaced by a dining room of approximately 23.5m² and one of approx. 14m² (sun room) being replaced by a much larger principal elevation projection of approx. 104m².
Recommendation: Refuse
6.4 Applicant: Jeannie Sutherland (13/04402/FUL) (PLN-013-14 (428kb pdf))
Location: Erection of House, Land north of Marham, Academy Street, Brora (Ward 5)
Nature of Development: Erection of new house and access, siting of residential caravan to use during construction work.
Recommendation: Grant
6.5 Applicant: Mrs J Mackenzie (13/03989/FUL) (PLN-014-14 (819kb pdf))
Location: Land South of 17 Marine Park, North Kessock (Ward 10)
Nature of Development: Erection of House
Recommendation: Grant
6.6 Applicant: Coigach Wind Power Ltd (13/02582/FUL) (PLN-015-14 (636kb pdf))Location: Land to north of Water Treatment Works Achvraie, Achiltibuie
(Ward 6)
Nature of Development: Erection of 900kw wind turbine on 55m tower, height to tip 77m, blade diameter 44m, control building, access track and borrow pit
Recommendation: Grant.
6.7 Applicant: The Tartan Company (13/04276/FUL ) (PLN-016-14 (517kb pdf))
Location: Dunvegan Shop, Dunvegan, Isle Of Skye IV55 8WA (Ward 11)
Nature of Development: Change of use of shop/newsagent to cafe/shop/tearoom . Plus hot food takeaway and alcoholic drinks.
Recommendation: Grant
6.8 Applicant: Mr Denys Greenhow (13/04226/FUL) (PLN-017-14 (337kb pdf))
Location: Land 110M SW Of 13 Lower Milovaig, Glendale (Ward 11)
Nature of Development: Erection of 10kW wind turbine (18.5m to hub, 22.25m to tip), underground cable and electrical cabinet.
Recommendation: Grant
6.9 Applicant: Wind Harvest Ltd (13/02682/FUL) (PLN-018-14 Part 1 (1687kb pdf) | PLN-018-14 Part 2 (409kb pdf))
Location: Land 978m SE of Lochend Holding, Barrock, Caithness
(Ward 4)
Nature of Development: Erection of 4 no. 2300kw wind turbines with a height to tip of 99.5m, height to hub of 64m, rotor diameter of 71m and associated infrastructure
Recommendation: Refuse
6.10 Applicant: Dornoch Developments Ltd per GH Johnston Building Consultants Ltd. (13/04185/FUL) (PLN-019-14 Part 1 (1399kb pdf) | PLN-019-14 Part 2 (1432kb pdf) | PLN-019-14 Part 3 (1979kb pdf))
Location: Royal Golf Hotel, Grange Road, Dornoch IV25 3LG (Ward 5)
Nature of Development: Erection of 33No holiday apartments
Recommendation: Grant
Minutes
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Minute of the site inspection meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee held on 17 February, 2014 Site Visit Route Map (911kb pdf) and the scheduled meeting held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Tuesday, 18 February, 2014 at 10.30 am.
Committee Members Present:
Site Inspection Meeting on 17 February:
Mrs I Campbell (excluding item 5.1), Mr D Bremner (items 6.3 – 6.10), Mrs G Coghill, Mr B Fernie, Mr M Finlayson (excluding items 6.9 and 6.10), Mr C Fraser (excluding item 5.1), Mr D MacKay (excluding item 6.9 and 6.10), Mrs A MacLean, Mrs I McCallum (excluding item 5.1), Mr D Millar (excluding items 5.1, 6.5 and 6.8), Mrs M Paterson, Mr G Phillips (excluding items 6.7 – 6.10), Mr I Renwick (excluding item 5.1), Mr A Rhind (excluding item 5.1), Mrs A Sinclair and Ms M Smith (excluding items 6.1 and 6.10).
Non Committee Members Present:
Scheduled Meeting on 18 February:
Mr R Greene
viewing for 12 months.
Apologies were intimated on behalf of Mr G Farlow
.
Item 6.8 – Mr D Millar (non-financial interest as he was a fellow Director with one of the objectors)
There had been submitted for confirmation as a correct record the minute of the meeting of the committee held on 14 January 2014 which was APPROVED.
The Committee NOTED the report.
- At the additional stop after viewpoint 1, the house of an objector, members had asked how far it was to the nearest turbine. The house was 2.6 km to the nearest turbine
- At Knockarthur the house was 2.4 km from the nearest turbine
- At Kilbraur the house was 2.2 km from the nearest turbine and the house in front to the east was 2 km from the nearest turbine
- Between viewpoints 4 and 5 members will recall seeing a man with a placard on the road. Unfortunately on returning to the office Mr McCorquodale had received an email from Dr Gilchrist asking that the coach stop at this point. Mr McCorquodale apologised to Dr Gilchrist but his comments were clear from his placard “enough is enough”
- Further representations had been received, 6 in support and 33 against the development.
Members had the following concerns:
- Dr Gilchrist had wanted members to stop to see the site of the proposed borrow pit and note that if this was consented it would increase the volume of traffic on the road
- The ability of the roads to support construction traffic although it was noted that this would be dealt with under condition
- The cumulative impact with the close proximity of Kilbraur, Gordonbush and the various wind farms listed in the report both consented and existing
- The photomontages presented originally at committee on the 14 January did not show the settlement at Rogart with the surrounding houses and their close proximity to the wind farm, members had benefitted from the site visit
- The visual impact would be detrimental to the properties and the surrounding community which would be contrary to Policies 67 and 28 of the Local Development Plan
- This area had reached saturation point with turbines
The motion therefore became the finding of the meeting and the Committee AGREED to refuse the application for the reason stated.
Ms M Smith declared a non-financial interest as a member of the Board of Albyn Housing Society Ltd and left the room for item 6.1 following.
The Committee AGREED the recommendation.
The Committee AGREED the recommendation.
There being no amendment, the Committee AGREED the recommendation.
The Committee AGREED the recommendation with an additional condition to remove the permitted development rights for windows on the north and south elevations.
- The proximity to the flood risk area; had the flood risk assessment been done by the council or by SEPA
- Could the required visibility splays be achieved from this site
- This house would be shoehorned into a site that was never intended for development
- The house would cause overcrowding in the area
The motion therefore became the finding of the meeting and the Committee AGREED to refuse the application for the reason stated.
Mr G Phillips requested that officials looked into the background of the pale grey colour recommended for wind turbines and bring this information back to members.
Mr D Millar declared a non-financial interest as a fellow director with one of the objectors and left the room for item 6.8 following.
- The turbine was in an elevated position and would have a detrimental visual impact on the surrounding area. The seaward views to the north and west had been designated as a special landscape area
- The development would cause damage to the road
- Did the Development Plan include development of wind turbines in this area
- This application if approved would set a precedent in this area
- Did the owners of Lon Ban object to the application
- Could a lower site be considered where the winds were not so high and there would be no risk of damage to the turbines? In a reduced site there would also be less visual and noise impact
The motion therefore became the finding of the meeting and the Committee AGREED the recommendation.
6.10 Applicant: Dornoch Developments Ltd per GH Johnston Building Consultants Ltd. (13/04185/FUL) (PLN-019-14 Part 1 | PLN-019-14 Part 2 | PLN-019-14 Part 3 )
The Committee AGREED the recommendation.