Agenda and minutes

              DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

          Councillors J Fullarton and H. Laing declared an interest in Application 20/00523/FUL in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the meeting during the discussion.

With reference to paragraph 2 of the Minute of 26 June 2017, The Chairman proposed and it was unanimously agreed that Councillor Helen Laing be appointed to serve as the only Vice Chairman of the Committee.  The Chairman thanked Councillors Aitchison, Anderson and Hamilton for undertaking Vice Chairmen duties in the past.

AGREED that Councillor H Laing be appointed to serve Vice Chairman of the Planning and Building Standards Committee.

Minute of Meeting 3 August 2020 to be approved and signed by the Chairman.  (Copy attached.)

3.0         Minute

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meeting held on 3 August 2020.

         DECISION

         APPROVED for signature by the Chairman.

Consider the following application for planning permission:-

         ADJOURNMENT

         The meeting adjourned at 1.30 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.

4.0          ApplicationS

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Planning and Housing Officer on an applications for planning permission requiring consideration by the Committee.

DECISION

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

Presentation by Chief Planning & Housing Officer.

4.0             INDICATIVE REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGIES FOR SOUTH OF SCOTLAND AND         SOUTH EAST SCOTLAND

The Chief Planning Officer was present at the meeting and gave a presentation on the two Indicative Regional Spatial Strategies (IRSS) that had been prepared to inform the development of the National Planning Framework (NPF). He explained that the Scottish Borders Council was in the unique position of being involved in the preparation of two such strategies.  The IRSS for the South of Scotland had been prepared jointly with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the IRSS for the South East Scotland in association with the five other SESplan authorities (City of Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian, Midlothian and Fife Councils).

5.1       It was explained that the formal duty to prepare Regional Spatial Strategies had not yet been enacted but that Scottish Government had asked that indicative or interim strategies be prepared to inform the NPF. Regional Spatial Strategies are long term spatial strategies which identify:

·         the need for strategic development

·         the outcomes to which strategic development will contribute

·         priorities for the delivery of strategic development

·         proposed locations, shown in the form of a map or diagram

5.2       What had been prepared in both instances are ‘light touch’ but overarching documents that reflect existing projects, programmes and strategies such as SESplan, Scottish Borders Local Development Plan, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.  The IRSS was not promoting any new policies or projects but it was the opportunity to bring together existing strategic planning issues, economic development strategy and connectivity projects and give an indication of where we would want to see our region in 2050.

The South of Scotland IRSS focusses on the following themes:

·      Climate - What development will we need to address climate change?

·      People - How can planning support our quality of life, health and wellbeing in the future?

·      Economy - What does planning need to do to enable an economy that benefits everyone?

·      Place - How can planning improve and strengthen the special character of our places?

·      Connectivity - What infrastructure do we need to plan to realise our long term aspirations?

The South East of Scotland IRSS builds on the strategy set out in SESplan and takes into account the emerging City Deal Regional Growth Frameworkand focusses on:

·      Regional Recovery and Renewal  - Tackling inequality, environmental improvement, economic renewal

·      Adaptable, a more resilient region - Tackling climate change, building design and conservation

·      Accessible Region -  Tackling connectivity, infrastructure delivery, sustainable housing sites

5.3       Mr Aikman confirmed that both documents would be presented to Council on 25^th September 2020 for ratification and that the South East of Scotland IRSS would also be considered by the SESplan Joint Committee on 21 September 2020.

DECISION

NOTED.

6.3       Mr Aikman confirmed that both documents would be presented to Council on 25^th September 2020 for ratification and that the South East of Scotland IRSS would also be considered by the SESplan Joint Committee on 21  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

6.            Appeals and Reviews

There had been circulated copies of a briefing note by the Chief Planning Officer on Appeals to the Scottish Ministers and Local Reviews. 

              DECISION

              NOTED that:-

(a)       there had been received an Appeal in respect of:-

(i)         Erection of 52 holiday lodges with office, reception/shop and formation of associated roads and parking on Land North  West of Willowdean House, Foulden – 20/00067/FUL

(b)     there remained 2 appeals outstanding in respect of :-

(i)     Land North of Carcant Lodge, Wull Muir Wind Farm, Heriot;

(ii)    Land West of 1 Linthaugh Farm Cottage, Jedburgh

(c)     Review requests had been received in respect of:-

(i)        Erection of 15 No huts with associated access and car parking on Land East of Wester Deans, West Linton- 19/01256/FUL;

(ii)       Siting of 3 No glamping pods and associated works on Land South Wset of Stouslie Farmhouse, Hawick – 20/00343/FUL;

(iii)      Erection of dwellinghouse with detached garage on Land North West of Strathmyre, Old Belses, Jedburgh – 20/00486/FUL

(d)       the decision of the Appointed Officer had been overturned in respect of:-

(i)        part change of use from garage/storage and alterations to form workshop and storage for joinery business at Buccleuch Hotel, Trinity Street, Hawick – 19/01784/FUL, subject to conditions;

(ii)       Erection of treehouse and walkway for use as holiday let accommodation and associated works on Land South West of Sandystones Farmhouse, Ancrum, Jedburgh - 20/00132/PPP, subject to conditions and Notification to Scottish Ministers);

(e)         there remained two reviews previously reported on which decisions were still awaited when the report was prepared on 17 July 2020.