Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jean Moffat and Alastair Redman.

There were no declarations of interest.

a)    The Minutes of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 23 June 2021 were approved as a correct record subject to noting Councillor Mary-Jean Devon’s apologies for absence.

b)      The Minutes of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 28 June 2021 were approved as a correct record.

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)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Regulatory Services

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Authorities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 come into effect on 1 September 2021, and place new statutory duties on Councils to licence certain activities concerning animals and also modernises the existing animal welfare licensing regimes. 

A report advising Members of this new requirement, which will be carried out by Environmental Health, and seeking approval to introduce new appropriate fees and charges was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.    note the introduction of a new licensing regime under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021; and

2.    recommend to the Council, agreement of the fees and charges as outlined in Section 4.5 of the Executive Director’s report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Regulatory Services dated 9 August 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer and Support Services

A paper presenting the Committee with the Service Annual Performance Review and Scorecard 2020/21 for the Development and Economic Growth Service was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and approved the Service Annual Performance Review and Scorecard 2020/21 as presented prior to publishing on the Council website.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer and Support Services dated 25 June 2021 and Service Annual Performance Review and Scorecard 2020/21 – Development and Economic Growth Service, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

A paper presenting the Committee with the FQ1 2021/22 performance report for the Development and Economic Growth Service in a revised simplified format commensurate with the Covid-19 situation was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and scrutinised the FQ1 2021/22 Performance Report as presented.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 29 July 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

A report advising on the recent decision by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division in relation to Planning Appeal Reference: PPA-130-2081 for the erection of 12 dwellinghouses, alternations to vehicular access and installation of private drainage system at land east of Lochside, Portincaple, was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, submitted)