Council's stance on more pylons for Dalmally could be reconsidered

Officers have been asked to report back on new national planning framework changes that could affect Argyll and Bute Council's previous decision to object to more pylons for Dalmally.

 

Last year Argyll and Bute councillors  went against planning officers’ advice and unanimously objected to plans by Energy giant SSEN for 48 pylons along eight miles of overhead line.

 

The vote back in September triggered the need for a public local inquiry (PLI) which will now take the ultimate planning decision to Scottish ministers.

 

However, at the time of that vote, the latest National Planning Framework was only available as a consultation draft and was not in force at the time.

 

Scottish Ministers adopted and published NPF4 on February 13, superceding National Planning Framework 3 and the then Scottish Planning Policy.

 

The PLI will now consider SSEN's planning bid in light of NPF4.

 

As members were not in a position to consider NPF4 when forming their decision and, due to "this material change in circumstances" it was considered appropriate to bring this matter back to members for their consideration.

 

At the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee (PPSL) meeting on February 15, members agreed to note that the NPF4 came into force on February 13 and also to note  that "it is considered the application of NPF4, once assessed, may alter the council’s prospects for success in the Public Local Inquiry."

 

The council’s Development Service was asked to provide a report on this to the next meeting of the PPSL Committee.