Short-term let accommodation at 2F2 2 Greyfriars Place, Old Town, Edinburgh

“The application property is a second floor, one-bedroom flat at 2 (2F2) Greyfriars Place. The property takes its access from Greyfriars Place via an entrance door and communal stair which it shares with other properties.”

“The application is for a change of use from residential to short term let (sui generis). No internal or external physical changes are proposed. The applicant advises that the short term let use has been in operation since December 2025. Therefore, the application is retrospective.”

“The application property forms part of a category B listed building (LB 18972, date of listing: 08.05.1975).”

“The application property is in the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site and the Old Town Conservation Area.”

“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.”

“Use of the property as an STL would introduce an increased frequency of movement to the property, shared stairwell, and main entrance. Although it is noted that the property is a compact, one-bed flat, its location on the second floor of the tenement means guests are required to pass the doors of other flats as they move to and from the property.”

“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.”

“- Negative impact on residential amenity (including community cohesion and residents' safety and security). - Negative impact on housing stock. - Negative impact on World Heritage Site.”

“- Brings economic benefits. - There will be no negative impact on residential amenity. - STLs have no negative impact on housing stock.”

“26/00626/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.”