Councillor quits planning role after 'no more wind farms on Skye' comment
BBCThe chairman of Highland Council's north planning committee has resigned after receiving legal advice over comments he made about wind farms.
Drew Millar said "there was no need for any more wind farms on Skye" during discussions on a project proposed for a site in his ward at a meeting in January.
Legal officers said the comment could be viewed as him being opposed to all renewable developments, therefore he should not chair the committee when one was being discussed.
The Skye SNP councillor told a meeting on Wednesday it was not his intention for the comment to be taken in that way but admitted it was an "error" on his part.
Millar said because the committee dealt with a "vast amount" of renewable energy planning applications he decided it was best that he resigned from his position as chairman.
The long-serving councillor will remain as a member of the committee, but will not sit in on discussions around renewables.
Before he handed in his official resignation, he had to chair one final meeting on Wednesday.
But, given the numerous renewable developments on the agenda, he had to leave the chamber for the majority of the meeting.
Karl Rosie, an Independent Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor, took his place.
Millar is the second member of the north planning committee to be advised by the council's legal team to resign over comments made about renewable projects.
In September, Thurso and Northwest Caithness Independent councillor Matthew Reiss was forced to resign from the committee after he made a comment in an interview suggesting renewable projects should be paused.
During Millar's departure from the chamber on Wednesday, East Sutherland and Edderton Lib Dem councillor Richard Gale questioned the officer's decision.
He said: "Are we not allowed to have opinions?"
Millar's comments in January came during a discussion on the proposed Balmeanach Wind Farm near Edinbane.