ASSC Statement on Planning (Scotland) Bill Amendment

Scottish Green MSP, Andy Wightman, has proposed an amendment to the Planning (Scotland) Bill which would require people to get planning permission to let out their home as a short-term let.

The change he makes to the bill is that ‘the use of a dwellinghouse for the purpose of providing short-term holiday lets involves a material change in the use of the building’. The proposal would not stand in the way of people letting out a spare room or letting out their main or primary residence on a residential lease but would apply when they sought to operate an entire property as a short-term let.

The ASSC opposes this proposal as we do not believe short-term lets constitute a material change of use. We believe that a home is still residential, regardless of whether it is a self-catering unit or a long-term residence. The Bill will progress to its next Stage (Stage 3) in early 2019 – where all MSPs will have an opportunity to vote for or against this amendment.

We are working tirelessly on this; including engaging with MSPs of all parties and government ministers and officials trying to have these amendments removed, or at least amended to reflect the specific needs and concerns of our members, from the bill. We will continue to work with other stakeholders and MSPs to get an outcome with which we are happy.