COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Wednesday 24 March 2004 at 4.00pm. 

 

PRESENT

Mr Angus Nicolson (Chairman)

 

 

Mr Ian M Macleod(Vice-Chairman)

 

 

Mr Alex A MacDonald

Mr Donald Maclean

 

Mr George Lonie

Mr Martin C Taylor

 

Mr Keith Dodson

Mr Peter Carlin

 

Mr Angus McCormack

Mr Ronald J Mackinnon

 

Mrs Morag Munro

Mr Angus Macdonald

 

 

 

Apologies

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Angus Campbell

 

 

 

 

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

 

Erection of Housing at Newpark, Newmarket

 

 

1

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report referring to the decision of the Comhairle to grant planning permission for the erection of 6 houses in Newpark, Newmarket, Isle of Lewis.

 

It was stated in the Report that the applicants, Muirneag Housing Association, had intimated that they would have difficulties in complying with the condition requiring the provision of a kerbed footpath and had suggested that a hard verge be constructed along the site frontage, which would provide a footpath provision for pedestrians.  The Report commented on the submissions made on behalf of Muirneag Housing Association and stated that the Director of Technical Services, in light of the particular circumstances associated with this development, considered that it would not be reasonable to enforce the planning condition relating to the provision of a kerbed, tarred footpath.

 

It was agreed that the proposed compromise that a hard verge be constructed along the site frontage at Newpark, Newmarket, Isle of Lewis, which would provide footpath provisions for pedestrians, in lieu of a kerbed tarred footpath, be accepted and that, subject to implementation of the proposed compromise before any of the phase 2 houses were occupied, that no formal enforcement action be taken by the Director for Sustainable Communities to secure compliance with Condition No. 4 to planning permission ref: 03/00351.

 

 

Referral of the Pentland Wind Farm Application to The Scottish Ministers

 

 

2

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report seeking homologation of the terms of referral to the Scottish Ministers of an application to erect 6 wind turbines and associated development on a site to the north of Pentland Road , Isle of Lewis.

 

 

 

The Report commented on the background to the decision of the Comhairle to notify the Scottish Ministers of the Comhairle's intention to grant planning permission for the erection of 6 wind turbines and associated development on a site to the north of Pentland Road, Isle of Lewis, subject to agreements relating to a restoration bond and community funding. The Report gave details of the specialist studies commissioned by Farm Energy Limited, concerning the impact of the proposed development, on both aircraft movements and on the national radar navigation systems at Stornoway Airport.  It was stated in the Report that Highlands and Islands Airports Limited and the National Air Traffic Services, following consideration of the studies commissioned by Farm Energy Limited, had not agreed to withdraw their objections.

 

It was agreed homologate the action taken by the Director for Sustainable Communities in submitting the letter detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report concerning the proposed wind turbines at Pentland Road, Isle of Lewis.

 

 

Use of First Floor Offices as a Taxi Control Office at 12 Cromwell Street, Stornoway

 

 

3

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission to use the first floor office of 12 Cromwell Street as a taxi control office incorporating a public waiting office.  The Report gave background information and commented on the application and intimated that representations had been received.

 

It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant planning permission for the use of the first floor of 12 Cromwell Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis as a taxi control offices incorporating a public waiting area, subject to the conditions detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.

 

 

Re-tender of First and Second Floor Gable, External Walls Facing Onto Point Street with Skye Marble Roughcast

DS21.01

 

 

4

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission to remove the existing plain cement render and replace it with a dry dash using Skye marble on the frontage and gable walls of 39 Point Street, Stornoway.  The Report gave background information and commented on the application.

 

It was agreed that the application for planning permission to remove the existing plain cement render and replace it with a dry dash using Skye marble on the frontage and gable walls of 39 Point Street, Stornoway be refused, for the reasons detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.

 

 

Outline Application for Four Flats, West Side Cottage, Tarbert

 

 

5

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for outline planning permission for the demolition of for West Side Cottage and the construction of four flats on land between Seaview, Tarbert and the Comhairle's sheltered housing block to the south east of the site.  The Report gave background information and 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 outline planning permission for the demolition of West Side Cottage and the construction of four flats on land between Seaview, Tarbert and the Comhairle's sheltered housing block to the south east of the site.

 

It was agreed that the application for outline planning permission for the demolition of West Side Cottage and the construction of four flats on land between Seaview, Tarbert and the Comhairle's sheltered housing block to the south east of the site be refused on the grounds that the proposed development could hamper the amenity of the neighbouring dwellings in view of the cramped nature of the site.

 

 

Erect Cottage for Self-Catering at 5 Luskentyre, Harris

 

6

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning and application for planning permission for the erection of a cottage for self-catering holiday lets at 5 Luskentyre, Isle of Harris.  The Report gave background information and commented on the application and indicated that representations have been received.

 

It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant planning permission for the erection of a cottage for self-catering holiday lets at 5 Luskentyre, Isle of Harris subject to the conditions detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.

 

 

Erect Auxiliary Fire Station, Lochmaddy

 

 

7

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning and application for outline planning permission for the erection of an Auxiliary Fire Station and associated car parking at Lochmaddy, North Uist.

 

The Report gave background information and commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received.

 

It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant outline planning permission for the erection of the Auxiliary Fire Station and associated car parking at Lochmaddy, North Uist subject to the conditions detailed in at Appendix 1 of the Report.

 

 

 

 

Mr Peter Carlin declared an interest in the following item and left the meeting during consideration of the matter.

 

Extend House at Eiseabhal, Uachdar

 

8

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission for the extension of a house at Eiseabhal, Uachdar, Benbecula.

 

The Report gave background information and commented on the application.

 

It was recommended in the Report that the application for planing permission for the extension of a house at Eiseabhal, Uachdar, Benbecula be refused for the reasons detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.

 

It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant planning permission for the extension of a house at Eiseabhal, Uachdar, Benbecula subject to conditions to be determined by the Director for Sustainable Communities.

 

 

Landscaping at Former Vatersay Causeway Quarry and Interpretation Panels for Allt Chrisal, Barra

9

The Director for Sustainable Communities submitted a Report concerning an application for planning permission for change of use from quarry to recreational use at the quarry that was used for the construction of the Vatersay Causeway.  The Report gave background information and commented on the application and indicated that representations had been received.

 

It was agreed that the Director for Sustainable Communities be authorised to grant planning permission for change of use from quarry to recreational use at the quarry that was used for the construction of the Vatersay Causeway subject to the conditions detailed at Appendix 1 of the Report.