Government reject appeal for battery farm originally meant to help Inverness Caley Thistle
AN appeal to build a battery farm which was originally meant to financially benefit Inverness Caledonian Thistle has been rejected by the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government have rejected the appeal from Intelligent Land Investments Group PLC against the decision made by the Highland Council to reject their application to build a battery energy storage facility at Fairways.
The application was originally intended to help raise finances for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, which if granted, could have raised an estimated £3.4 million for the club.
However, five days later the committee’s chairman and vice chairman – Councillors Thomas MacLennan and Paul Oldham – submitted a notice of amendment to have it reviewed.
Both councillors voted against the application and then wrote to other members arguing that a vote involving just five members was “not a good look” for the local authority.
In a full Highland Council meeting held in March, councillors voted 30 to 23 against the project. Inverness Caledonian Thistle then appealed Highland Council’s decision to the Scottish Government, which was rejected today.
Speaking about her decision to reject the appeal, reporter Rosie Leven wrote: “In the absence of any guidance on maximising economic benefits, and while the evidence does not clearly demonstrate how and when local financial benefits would be secured, in so far as I can establish from the appellant’s submissions, I consider that the proposal would not be inconsistent with NPF4 policy 11(c). The appellant’s aims around PPA-270-2301 3 local supply chains would also be consistent with the relevant aspects of NPF4 policy 25 on community wealth building.
Referring to the loss of greenspace that would result from the application, she wrote: “Given the proposed loss of the greenspace and the lost connection into the green network from the north, the proposal would not be consistent with policy 4.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle went into administration in October, but Leven wrote the current financial situation at the club was not a factor in her decision.
She wrote: “Other than the matters discussed above on maximising the proposal’s economic impact, detailed matters raised in further submissions on changes in the administration of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club and its charitable arm are not relevant to my planning assessment of the proposal.
“In addition, concerns raised over the way in which the planning authority’s decision was made, or the integrity of parties involved, do not influence my assessment of the planning matters.
“I therefore conclude, for the reasons set out above, that the proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which would still justify granting planning permission. I have considered all the other matters raised, but there are none which would lead me to alter my conclusions.”
Inverness Caledonian Thistle have been approached for comment.
A spokesperson for the Highland Council said: “The Council notes the decision by Scottish Government on the appeal.”
