Highland Council planning committee chair resigns over comment about wind farms

The chairman of Highland Council’s north planning committee has resigned after an “error” at a previous meeting.

Councillor Drew Millar (Skye and Raasay, SNP) handed in his resignation as chair of the committee at 6pm on Wednesday, March 11, after receiving legal advice over comments he made at a meeting in January.

When discussing the Balmeanach Wind Farm that was proposed for a site in his ward, Cllr Millar said “there was no need for any more wind farms on Skye”.

Earlier this week, he was advised by legal officers that the comment could be viewed as him being opposed to all renewable developments, and he should not chair the committee when one is being discussed.

Cllr Millar explained it was not his intention for the comment to be taken in that way, but admitted it was an “error” on his part.

As the committee deals with a vast amount of renewable energy planning applications, Cllr Millar decided it was best that he resign from his position as chair.

Although he will remain as a member of the committee, he will not sit in on discussions around renewables.

Before he handed in his official resignation, he had to chair one final meeting on Wednesday, March 11, but given the numerous renewable developments on the agenda, he had to leave the chamber for the majority of the meeting. Councillor Karl Rosie (Thurso and Northwest Caithness, Independent) took his place as chair.

Cllr Millar is the second member of the north planning committee to be advised by the legal team to resign over comments made about renewable projects.

In September, Independent councillor Matthew Reiss (Thurso and Northwest Caithness) was forced to resign from the committee after he made a comment in an interview suggesting renewable projects should be paused.

During Cllr Millar’s departure from the chamber on Wednesday, Councillor Richard Gale (East Sutherland and Edderton, Liberal Democrats) questioned the officer’s decision.

He said: “Are we not allowed to have opinions?”