Agenda and minutes

Minute of Meeting of 11 January 2016 to be approved and signed by the Chairman.  (Copy attached.)

          MINUTE

         There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meeting held on 11 January 2016.

         DECISION

         APPROVED for signature by the Chairman.

Consider the following application for planning permission:-

          APPLICATIONS

         There had been circulated copies of reports by the Service Director Regulatory Services on applications for planning permission requiring consideration by the Committee. Following consideration of the applications the Chairman advised that Mary Rose Fitzgerald was leaving the Council to move to a new post and thanked her for advice to the Committee.

         DECISION

         DEALT with the applications as detailed in Appendix I to this Minute.

Consider report by Service Director Regulatory Services.  (Copy attached.)

         APPEALS AND REVIEWS

         There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Regulatory Services on Appeals to the Scottish Ministers and Local Reviews. 

3.1    The Chairman requested an update from Mr Nelson with regard to Wind Farm Development appeals and Mr Nelson advised that the situation was very fluid and reported as follows:-

·                Hag Law, Romanno Bridge and Cloich, Peebles -  expected that the Reporters report would  be sent to Scottish Ministers by mid February 2016 and that a decision from Scottish Ministers could be made within approximately 3 months thereafter (mid May 2016);

·                Land West of Muircleugh Farmhouse, Lauder - expected to be completed mid February 2016 and a decision within 3 months;

·                Aikengall 2A – decision expected May 2016

·                Kilrubie, Eddleston, Peebles – Appeal just received andat an early stage. 

         The Chairman then asked that Members of the Committee receive a note giving a brief overview of the position in respect of all wind farm applications and potential applications, including a location map.

         DECISION

(a)       NOTED that:-

(i)       an appeal had been received in respect of the erection of windfarm comprising 7 No wind turbines up to 115m high to tip, access tracks, sub-station and ancillary works on Land North of Upper Stewarton, (Kilrubie Wind Farm Development), Eddleston, Peebles.

(ii)    A review request had been received in respect of the Erection of a dwellinghouse  on Land West of Craigerne Coachhouse, Edderston Road, Peebles – 15/01034/FUL

(iii)  there remained two appeals outstanding in respect of:

·         Land South East of Halmyre Mains Farmhouse (Hag Law), Romanno

          Bridge

·    Land North East and North West of Farmhouse Braidlie (Windy Edge), Hawick.

(b)  AGREED  that a briefing paper be prepared and circulated to Committee 

   Members, detailing Wind Farm Development applications received, those in the   

process of scoping together with a map pinpointing proposed sites referred to in the applications and identifying wind farm developments already approved.

          PUBLIC SPEAKING AT MEETINGS PROTOCOL

4.      There had been circulated copies of the Public Speaking at meetings Protocol with recommended amendments in terms of the content of the presentation which allowed speakers to make reference to a maximum of two visual aids (photomontages, photographs, maps, plans, etc) that had been lodged properly with the Council in respect of the application being considered and a minimum of 8 days in advance of the Committee.

*      DECISION

         AGREED TO RECOMMEND that the suggested amendments be incorporated into the Public Speaking at meeting Protocol as detailed in Appendix II to this Minute.

5.       SCOTTISH BORDERS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN: EXAMINATION REPORT 

With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of 11 January 2016, there had been circulated copies of the reply received from the Chief Reporter.  The Chairman proposed that the discussion of this matter be taken in private and this was unanimously agreed.   

          DECISION

          AGREED.

PRIVATE BUSINESS

6.       DECISION

          AGREED under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the business detailed in the Appendix III to this Minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act.

SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

1.         SCOTTISH BORDERS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN: EXAMINATION REPORT

The Committee considered a reply from the Chief Reporter and agreed that the matter be considered at the next meeting, once all responses had been received. 

The meeting concluded at 12.15 p.m.