Airbnb lets to face planning ‘control zone’ in Edinburgh

NICOLA STURGEON’S government has been accused of undermining the success of Edinburgh’s festivals by approving plans to force the city’s Airbnb property owners to apply for planning permission.

The SNP administration rubberstamped proposals submitted by the city council for it to become Scotland’s first short-term lets control zone.

It means owners letting out a residential property that is not their principal home for a short period will have to apply for “change of use” permission through the planning process.

The move aims to crack down on Airbnb-style accommodation. Around a third of all short-term lets in Scotland are in Edinburgh and council leaders want to introduce a city-wide cap on the number of homes given planning permission under the new scheme.

Hospitality groups said the change would be “absolutely devastating” and warned it would make it harder for performers and visitors at Edinburgh’s festivals to find accommodation.

The city’s population is expected to double to almost a million people this month as tourists flock to the Edinburgh Fringe, the International Festival and the International Book Festival. Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-caterers, said: “Self-catering properties have been a long-standing presence in Edinburgh for decades, providing a vital source of alternative accommodation during major events.”

The latest crackdown comes after SNP ministers introduced a new licensing system for the owners of short-term lets. New operators will have until Oct 1 to obtain a licence, while existing ones will have until April 1 next year.

Shona Robison, the SNP’S Housing Secretary, said: “I recognise the important role which short-term lets play as a source of flexible and responsive accommodation for tourists and workers, which brings many benefits to hosts, visitors and our economy.

“However, we know that in certain areas, particularly tourist hotspots, high numbers of lets can cause problems for neighbours and make it harder for people to find homes to live in.”

An Airbnb spokesman said: “The vast majority of hosts in Scotland are regular people who occasionally rent one home to boost their income. Almost four in 10 say the extra earnings help them afford the rising cost of living.

“We want to be a good partner to authorities and collaborate on rules that support local families and protect local communities.”