MSP aims to curb holiday home boom

● Change to planning law proposed to tackle problematic rise of short-term lets

A plan to control the boom in holiday homes and short-term lets in some parts of Scotland has been proposed by Green MSP Andy Wightman.

Mr Wightman has suggested legislation be changed to ensure private houses converted into holiday homes would need to gain full planning permission to do so.

The Green MSP believes his proposal would help local authorities control the increasing numbers of holiday homes and short-term lets that he believes are blighting some parts of Scotland.

He has now published pro- posed amendments to the Scottish Government’s Planning Bill which, if passed, mean a property used as a main or sole residence being changed to a holiday home or short-term let would need fully planning consent.

Councils would decide whether or not to grant permission following local policy. The changes would not affect those who rent out a room rather than an entire property.

Mr Wightman said: “The uncontrolled and rapid rise in short-term lets in our cities and the long-standing problem of second homes in our rural communities is depriving families and individuals of badly-needed longterm homes, worsening Scotland’s housing crisis. To date the Scottish Government has shown no interest in tackling these issues, so I intend to bring forward amendments to the Planning Bill to make the changes we need to see.

“Since being elected in 2016 I’ve been inundated by Edinburgh constituents concerned about the loss of housing supply and an increase in antisocial behaviour. And in our rural communities such as the East Neuk of Fife and parts of the West Highlands and Cairngorms, local people and families are being forced into inappropriate temporary accommodation or forced to leave the area because profit-driven interests have restricted the housing supply.

“The Scottish Government has chosen not to bring shortterm lets and holiday homes into the planning system, so I will lead the change.”

Amendments to the bill are due to be debated by the local government and communities committee when the Scottish Parliament returns from recess.

Earlier this year Mr Wightman published a report showing the proportion of empty homes in Scotland has risen. It found Edinburgh has the highest number of vacant properties, with the Highlands having the most holiday homes. Meanwhile, almost of half of properties in Elie and Earlsferry in Fife are second homes.

Thereportsaidtherearenow more than 100,000 empty or under-usedhousesinscotland. The number of second homes hadfallenfrom38,249to25,713 since 2012, but the report suggested this had been offset by a rise in short-term letting.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “We are committed to a range of actions, including establishing a delivery group which will look at the issues around short-term lets, identify the existing powers local authorities have and whether further measures are required, and explore ways of piloting solutions.”