Short-term let accommodation at Flat 22 5 Drummond Street, Edinburgh

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission to change a residential property into short-term let accommodation, without physical changes.

“Application for Planning Permission STL Flat 22 5 Drummond Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9TT.”

“Proposal: Retrospective change of use of premises to short term let accommodation.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a one-bedroom ground-floor mezzanine apartment in a listed building within the Old Town Conservation Area and World Heritage Site.

“The application property is a one-bedroom, mezzanine apartment on the ground floor of a converted red sandstone school comprising three/four storeys at 5 (flat 22) Drummond Street, South Bridge. Access to the property is via a shared main door with internal communal walkways.”

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

Officer report

Earlier applications

A lawfulness application for the property was withdrawn, while another was granted and an application for a different flat was refused.

“23/05952/CLESTL Flat 22 5 Drummond Street Southside Edinburgh EH8 9TT Application for the issue of a Certificate of Lawfulness confirming its existing use and a short-term let visitor accommodation. withdrawn 15 May 2024”

“24/02821/CLESTL Application for the issue of a Certificate of lawfulness confirming its existing use and a short term let visitor accommodation at Flat 5, 5 Drummond Street. Refused…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal would harm neighbouring amenity and the loss of residential accommodation was not justified.

“The proposal complies with Sections 59 and 64 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 as it will not harm the listed building or its setting and it will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

“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.”

Officer report

Main planning concerns

The use would increase movement, servicing and disturbance, while its economic benefits did not outweigh the loss of a home.

“The additional servicing that operating a property as an STL requires compared to that of a residential use is also likely to result in an increase in disturbance, further impacting on neighbouring amenity. However, this would be of lesser impact as it is likely that servicing would be conducted during the daytime.”

“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.”

Officer report

Consultation and publicity

No consultations were undertaken, and neighbour notification, press publicity and site notices generated 25 contributors.

“Date of Neighbour Notification: February 2025 Date of Renotification of Neighbour Notification: Not Applicable Press Publication Date(s): February 2025 Site Notices Date(s): February 2025 Number of Contributors: 25”

Officer report

What people said

Twenty-three representations supported the proposal and two objected, citing economic benefits, licensing, amenity, community and housing concerns.

“− Negative impact on residential amenity (including community cohesion, safety and security). − Negative impact on housing stock.”

“− Brings economic benefits. − There will be no negative impact on residential amenity. − The STL use will comply with licensing requirements.”

Officer report

The decision

“Decision 4.6 - 2F2, 56 Dublin Street, New Town Retrospective change of use of premises to short term let accommodation - application no.”

Minutes, 6 Aug 2025