Short-term let accommodation at Ground floor, 5 Grosvenor Gardens, Edinburgh

“The application property is situated at the end of Grosvenor Gardens, a cul-de-sac. With the exception of St Mary's Music School directly opposite the application property, the immediate and surrounding area is predominantly residential, with a low pattern of activity.”

“The application is for the change of use of the property from a flatted dwelling to short term let (sui generis). No internal or external physical changes are proposed. The application form states that the operation of the property as a short term let commenced on 02 July 2022. The application is therefore retrospective.”

“The application relates to a ground floor property which forms part of a 3-storey and basement terraced block of flats. It comprises two bedrooms, an en-suite, a bathroom and a living/kitchen room. Access to the property is via a shared communal door and hallway.”

“The property is a category B listed building (listing reference: LB28975, listing date: December 1964), is in the New Town Conservation Area and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.”

“23/05648/CLESTL GF 5 Grosvenor Gardens Edinburgh EH12 5JU Application for the issue of a Certificate of Lawfulness confirming its existing use and a short-term let visitor accommodation. withdrawn 14 May 2024”

“25/00179/FULSTL GF 5 Grosvenor Gardens Edinburgh EH12 5JU Retrospective change of use of premises to short term let accommodation. Refused 23 May 2025”

“It is recommended that this application be Refused subject to the details below.”

“The change of use of this property to a short-term let (STL) will have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity. The loss of the residential accommodation has not been justified. Whilst it is recognised that there is an economic benefit to the city as a whole from the provision of tourist accommodation in this case it does not outweigh the adverse impact on residential amenity or the loss of residential accommodation.”

“To comply with the policy, it is not sufficient to demonstrate that the STL use will deliver economic benefits; rather, it must be demonstrated that the economic benefits associated with any individual application are significant enough that they warrant the loss of a home, and the economic and other benefits associated with this.”

“Given the declared housing emergency and pressures on residential accommodation in Edinburgh, in addition to the economic and societal benefits that residential accommodation in the City brings in terms of people being able to live, work and contribute to their community, significant weight has to be given to the retention of existing residential accommodation.”

“26/00093/FULSTL - Report by the Chief Planning Officer To REFUSE planning permission for the reasons set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer.”

“The proposal is contrary to Local Development Plan Policy Hou 6 in respect of Inappropriate Uses in Residential Areas, as the use of this property as a short term let will have a materially detrimental effect on the living conditions and amenity of nearby residents.”

“The proposal is contrary to National Planning Framework 4 Policy 30(e) in respect of Local Amenity and Loss of Residential Accommodation, as the use of this property as a short term let will result in an unacceptable impact on local amenity and the loss of a residential property has not been justified.”