Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Senior Planning Officer spoke to the terms of the report.  A proposal of application notice (PAN) has been submitted for the erection of an electricity substation and associated works at land east of Creag Dhubh, Cladich.  The Creag Dhubh substation is required to reinforce the SSEN network and will connect onto the existing 132kV network between Inveraray and Taynuilt.  It will also connect to the existing Dalmally 275kV substation via an overhead line, to allow connection to the wider electricity network.  A separate S37 consent is required for this transmission line from Scottish Ministers and the Council will be consulted on the application when it is made.  The report summarises the policy considerations as well as potential material considerations and key issues based upon the information received to date. 

The Applicants have referenced the proposals as comprising “National” development as defined in NPF 3 within the submitted PAN documentation.  As the substation is connected to the provision and operation of national transmission infrastructure and has significant functional and physical linkages to it, Officers accept that this is an appropriate description.  This does not alter the procedures in respect of determining the planning application, which rests with the Planning Authority.  In terms of Part C, Paragraph 2.13 (10) of the Council’s Constitution the determination of planning applications which in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Development) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 are “National” are not delegated to the PPSL Committee and require to be determined by the full Council.  Any future planning application will be presented to the PPSL Committee for their consideration and recommendation, but the formal determination will require to be made by the full Council.

It is recommended that Members note the content of the report and provide such feedback as they consider appropriate in respect of this PAN to allow these matters to be considered by the Applicant in finalising any future planning application submission.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report and agreed that the following should be taken into consideration by the Applicant in finalising any future planning application submission:

To consider holding face to face public consultation meetings if regulations allow and to consider extending the period of consultation to enable these meetings to take place.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 3 August 2021, submitted)