Wind Energy Developments: Highland suggests 'counter to current' minimum separation distances...

13 Renewable energy

13.2

...Benefits and disbenefits for communities  – Scottish Government should consider introducing minimum separation distances to dwellings the occupiers of which are not financially involved  in the wind energy development. It is appreciated that this would run counter to the current approach: that each proposal is dealt with on its merits, based on assessment, with a view to maximising opportunities for renewables. However, it would provide a measure of comfort and certainty as to a minimum safeguard and may 
increase the likelihood that submitted schemes that respect such separation could be supported. It is suggested that only by such an approach being enshrined in national policy (or legislation) can it carry substantial weight in decision-making. It would also be helpful if SPP made it clear that, and 
explained how, safety is largely an issue outwith planning consideration, whilst acknowledging that it is an important matter involving risk assessment for the developer as part of the project design and management process. 

Extract taken from, 'REVIEW OF SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY' - Report to PED at link here


(REVIEW OF SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY - Highland states: This report informs the Committee of the review of Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) being undertaken by the Scottish Government.  The Committee is asked to consider the draft Highland Council response on the first stage of the review of the Scottish Planning Policy contained in Appendix 1. )

(A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness onWednesday, 16 January 2013 at 10.30am.)

PED agenda here

Highland suggest that distinction should be made between types of rural areas

5. Rural Development 


5.1. Whilst the development of rural areas should continue to be supported greater emphasis should be made to those locations where there should be a more restrained approach to rural development. A greater distinction should be made between areas that suffer from depopulation and lack of economic development opportunities with those where development pressures are already significant. Cumulative impacts of development within pressured rural areas should be considered as a factor in considering development proposals.

Extract taken from, 'REVIEW OF SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY' - Report to PED at link here

(REVIEW OF SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY - Highland states: This report informs the Committee of the review of Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) being undertaken by the Scottish Government.  The Committee is asked to consider the draft Highland Council response on the first stage of the review of the Scottish Planning Policy contained in Appendix 1. )

(A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness onWednesday, 16 January 2013 at 10.30am.)

PED agenda here

Highland Council left 'on its own' to defend against inappropriate isolated coastal development...

6.3...As things stand, if a development proposal comes in for an area of Isolated Coast where there is no national landscape or nature conservation designation, the only policy protection is the SPP itself. Even when a development proposal in an area of Isolated Coast is inappropriate – as most of them, by definition, are - SNH tends not to object unless there is a national designation involved. It is then left to the local authority on its own (or possibly also interested members of the public) to resist the inappropriate development proposal and defend the SPP’s position.  Further explanation for the need for a clear policy statement is provided in the Landscape and Natural Heritage section of this response.

Extract taken from, 'REVIEW OF SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY' - Report to PED at link here


(REVIEW OF SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY - Highland states: This report informs the Committee of the review of Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) being undertaken by the Scottish Government.  The Committee is asked to consider the draft Highland Council response on the first stage of the review of the Scottish Planning Policy contained in Appendix 1. )

(A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness onWednesday, 16 January 2013 at 10.30am.)

PED agenda here

DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDANCE

...This report explains the outcome of consultation on the Council‟s draft Supplementary Guidance on Developer Contributions.  The Committee is asked to approve the finalised guidance incorporating suggested amendments in response to comments received and in due course adopt as a statutory Supplementary Guidance to  the  Development  Plan.  Committee is also asked to adopt the document as Supplementary Guidance to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan, subject to feedback from Scottish Ministers.   The  Supplementary Guidance  document contributes to a number of the actions of the Programme of the Administration 2012 to 2017 including directly addressing actions for the economy

The extract above was taken from the Report for PED Agenda item here

We had all best get reading this report then before the councillors discuss this next week

Please look out for references to a separate specialised report to deal with A96 Corridor developments AS WE, including previous committees at the time of their 'approval' of the non-statutory A96 Corridor masterplanning/Framework work, WERE PROMISED WOULD BE IN PLACE AROUND  THE TIME OF THE ADOPTION OF THE HwLDP 

DRAFT HIGHLAND ECONOMIC RECOVERY & DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013-18

For more details on the  'DRAFT HIGHLAND ECONONOMIC (sic) RECOVERY & DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013-18' see the report  for Agenda Item  8 on the PED agenda here

(A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness onWednesday, 16 January 2013 at 10.30am.)

Highland verspend on public local Inquiries

Extract

...£0.305m has been spent on Public Local  Inquiries and related costs to date 

against a budget of only £0.050m and at present this is predicted to overspend at the year end by some £0.350m.  Steps have been taken to meet this overspend 

from elsewhere in the overall budget.  Again it is very difficult to predict estimated 

expenditure in this area and this will be kept under close review. 

For more details on the 'Revenue Budget Monitoring Statement' see the report  for Agenda Item 4 on the PED agenda here

(A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness onWednesday, 16 January 2013 at 10.30am.)