COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 11 May 2006 at 12.00 noon

PRESENT	Mr Angus Nicolson (Chairman)
	Mr Norman A Macdonald	Mr Donald Maclean
	Mr Keith Dodson	Mr Ronald J Mackinnon
	Mr Donald J Macsween	Mr Angus Macdonald
APOLOGIES	Mr Ian M Macleod (Vice-Chairman)
	Mr Alex A MacDonald
	Mr George Lonie	Mrs Morag Munro
	Mr Angus Campbell	Mr Martin C Taylor
	Mr Angus McCormack	Mr Peter Carlin

Declaration of Interest	1	Mr John Mackay declared an interest in item 2 and left the meeting during consideration of the matter.
		CONSTITUTION
Terms for Considering Amendments to Large Wind Farm Applications	2	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report inviting Members to consider an assessment process for addenda to wind farm application submitted under Sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.  It was indicated in the Report that the Comhairle, as principal consultee, had considered two applications made by Lewis Wind Power and Beinn Mhor Power to the Scottish Executive under Sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, in June 2005. It was intimated that  Beinnn Mhor Power had amended its proposals for a wind farm on the Eisgein Estate and had consequently submitted supplementary environmental information on the Environmental Statement,( “addendum”) to the Scottish Executive. It was further intimated that Lewis Wind Power had indicated that the company also intended to submit an addendum at a time which had not yet been specified.  The Report referred to the decision making process followed by the Comhairle, in June 2005, in relation to the abovementioned applications and stated that insofar as the addendum to Beinn Mhor Power’s application the Scottish Executive, in accordance with the terms of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2000, had formally notified the Comhairle of its right to submit its comments by 12 May 2006.  It was stated in the Report that an extension of time for submission of comments, beyond 12 May 2006, had been sought from the Scottish Executive. It was further stated in the Report that the relevant community councils had been advised, in writing, that they had the opportunity to send their comments to the Comhairle, but that it had been made clear that if they wanted their views to be considered independently of the Comhairle they would have to submit them to the Scottish Ministers by the 12 May 2006 deadline.
		It was emphasised in the Report that relevant matters arising from a public meeting arranged by Beinn Mhor Power, on 5 May 2006 and from a workshop arranged by the Members for the Lochs Ward, on 10 May 2006, would be reported to the Environmental Services Committee, along with views of community councils and any other representations made to the Comhairle.  The Report concluded that a final conclusion on the addenda to the applications made under Sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 would be made by the Comhairle. Members agreed to note the Report.
		PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Outline Application for a House at 18 New Shawbost, Isle Of Lewis	3	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission for the erection of a house at 18 New Shawbost, Isle of Lewis. The Report gave background information, commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received. It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant planning permission for the erection of a house at 18 New Shawbost, Isle of Lewis subject to the conditions shown in Appendix 1 to the Report.
Erect House 26 Doune Carloway, Isle of Lewis	4	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission for the erection of a house at 26 Doune Carloway, Isle of Lewis. The Report gave background information, commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received. It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to advise the Scottish Ministers of the intention of the Comhairle to approve the erection of a house at 26 Doune Carloway, Isle of Lewis,  subject to the conditions detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report, on the grounds that it considered that the separation of the proposed house from the scheduled monument was sufficient to avoid detriment.
Four Semi-Detached Houses at Newmarket, Isle Of Lewis	5	The Director of Corporate Services withdrew this item.
Erection of 4 Houses at 9 Aignish, Point, Isle Of Lewis	6	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for the erection of 4 houses at 9 Aignish, Point, Isle of Lewis. The Report gave background information, commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received. It was recommended in the Report that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant planning permission for the erection of 4 houses at 9 Aignish, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, subject to the conditions shown in Appendix 1 to the Report.
		It was agreed that the Committee would undertake a  visit to  the site proposed for the erection of 4 houses at 9 Aignish, Point, Isle of Lewis prior to the Committee considering the abovementioned matter further at its meeting on 15 June 2006.
Erect House and Integrated Garage Adjacent to ‘Innes Mara’, Garrabost, Point, Isle of Lewis	7	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission for the erection of a house and integrated garage adjacent to ‘Innes Mara’, Garrabost, Point, Isle of Lewis. The Report gave background information, commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received. It was agreed to recommend that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant planning permission for the erection of a house and integrated garage adjacent to ‘Innes Mara’, Garrabost, Point, Isle of Lewis, subject to the conditions shown in Appendix 1 to the Report.
Mussel Farm at Fuiay Rock, Isle of Barra	8	The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning a proposal to locate a mussel farm at Fuiay Rock, Isle of Barra. The Report gave background information, commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received. It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to submit a qualified favourable view to the Crown Estate in relation to the proposed mussel farm at Fuiay Rock, Isle of Barra, on the basis of the amended plan submitted by the applicant. It was further agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to seek clarification from Scottish Natural Heritage in relation to the response submitted by the organisation in respect of the abovementioned application.