Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillor Rory Colville declared a non-financial interest in the Proposal of Application Notices (PANs) dealt with at items 6 and 7 of this Minute, as he was the previous owner of the land referred to at item 7.  He left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of these PANs.

Councillor Gordon Blair declared a non-financial interest in the PANs dealt with at item 5 of this Minute, as a family member worked for the contractor.  He left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of these PANs.

a)    The Minute of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 17 November 2021 at 10.30 am was approved as a correct record.

b)    The Minute of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 17 November 2021 at 2.00pm was approved as a correct record.

c)    The Minute of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 17 November 2021 at 2.30 pm was approved as a correct record.

d)    The Minute of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 23 November 2021 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support

Following the Committee’s decision on 17 November 2021 to agree to publish a list of designated wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) for licensed taxis and private hire cars within the Council’s area for the purposes of Section 167 of the Equality Act 2010, Officers have considered what accessibility requirements should be met before a vehicle will be included in any designated list. 

A report inviting the Committee to adopt the draft WAV specification document was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to adopt the draft WAV specification document set on in Appendix 1 of the report.

(Reference: Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Support dated 1 December 2021, submitted)

Councillor Mary-Jean Devon joined the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

Having declared an interest in the following item, Councillor Gordon Blair left the meeting at this point.

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Senior Planning Officer spoke to the terms of the report.  Four Proposal of Application Notices submitted by SSEN in respect of planned infrastructure upgrades in the Argyll area as part of upgrading the high voltage transmission infrastructure, were previously reported to the Committee on 17 November 2021.  It was the intention of SSEN to resume public consultation events, however due to the current Covid situation in Argyll and Bute they have decided to cancel these.  This decision is in accordance with current regulations where the suspension of the need for such events remains in place under regulations from the Scottish Ministers.

This report provided an update on the proposed changes to the community consultation process proposed by SSEN for the four substations.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Supplementary report number 1 by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 1 December 2021, submitted)

Having declared an interest in the following two items, Councillor Rory Colville left the meeting at this point.

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Senior Planning Officer spoke to the terms of the report.  The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) relates to a future detailed planning application to construct a new golf course, maintenance building, covered driving range bays and associated car parking at land north of Machrihanish Golf Course, North of West Darlochan and South East of Kilchenzie.  The proposals would involve the expansion of an existing golf course already established in the locality.

The potential impact upon the Machrihanish Dunes SSSI will be an important consideration for any future planning application.  A scoping request has been submitted to the Council and discussions in respect of a future Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to support any planning application are currently being undertaken with Nature Scotland and the Council’s Biodiversity Advisor.  Officers are of the opinion that an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Regulations will require to be undertaken in respect of any future application.

The report sets out the information submission to date as part of the PAN and summarises the policy considerations, against which any future planning application will be considered as well as any material considerations.

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

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report and submissions and provided the following feedback:

·         That consideration should be given to the installation of a reasonable amount of electric car charging points.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 1 December 2021, submitted)

Councillor Blair returned to the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Senior Planning Officer spoke to the terms of the report.  The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) relates to a future planning application for Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) to construct a 75 bed hotel, restaurant and leisure hub, up to 50 lodges, golf clubhouse, golf pro shop, access arrangements and car parking, hard and soft landscaping and associated uses at land north of Machrihanish Golf Course and north of Clochkeil Cottages, Machrihanish.   The proposals would involve the expansion of existing golf course facilities already established in the locality.

The report sets out the information submission to date as part of the PAN and summarises the policy considerations, against which any future planning application will be considered as well as any material considerations.

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

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report and submissions and provided the following feedback:

·         Consideration should be given to the installation of an electric car charging point at every lodge as well as additional points at the hotel and throughout the complex.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 1 December 2021, submitted)

Councillor Colville returned to the meeting at this point.

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

The Senior Planning Officer spoke to the terms of the report.  The Proposal of Application Notice relates to a future planning application for development comprising circa 90 residential units, care home, nursery and commercial unit with all associated external works and landscaping at land north west of the Isle of Mull Hotel, Craignure, Isle of Mull. 

The PAN site is substantially unallocated within the LDP proposals map and is designated as Countryside . A section of the PAN boundary is within PDA 6/11 which is indicated in the LDP as being suitable for community facilities.  However the Council are proposing that some of the land be allocated in LDP 2 under site H4022 for 80 housing units.  Some of the redline boundary is outside the proposed allocation site.  Objections have been made to this proposed change in the status of the land and therefore the views of the LDP Reporter on this matter will be a substantive consideration for any future planning application.

The report sets out the information submission to date as part of the PAN and summarises the policy considerations, against which any future planning application will be considered as well as any material considerations.

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

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report and submissions and provided the following feedback:

·         Consideration should be given to installing electric car charging points at each unit and installing an appropriate level of car charging points at the care home and nursery.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 1 December 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

A paper presenting the FQ2 2021/22 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Development and Economic Growth Service was considered.

Decision

The Committee reviewed and scrutinised the FQ2 2021/22 KPI report as presented.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 9 November 2021, submitted)

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

A report summarising the recent decision made by Scottish Ministers to grant Section 36 consent and deemed planning permission for Blarghour Wind Farm was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 1 December 2021, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to enforcement case reference 18/00042/ENOTH1.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the recommendations in the report.

(Reference: Report by Head of Development and Economic Growth dated 15 December 2021, submitted)