Short-term let at 15A Cornwall Street, Edinburgh

“The application is for the retrospective change of use of the property from a flatted dwelling to short term let (STL). No internal or external physical changes are proposed. The applicant form states that the short stay use commenced on 01/02/2017.”

“The applicant has provided a planning statement and economic reports to support the application.”

“The application property is a basement level flat within a three-storey and attic tenement on the south east side of Cornwall Street. It comprises two bedrooms, a kitchen/dining room, living room and two bathrooms. Access is via a main door reached through stone steps leading down to basement level from the street. A juliet balcony (white railings) has been installed over the existing French Doors to the rear of the property to limit access to the rear garden.”

“The application property forms part of a category A listed building (reference LB47858, dated 14/12/1970) and is in the West End Conservation Area and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.”

“23/04525/CLESTL 15A Cornwall Street Edinburgh EH1 2EQ 10 years continued use as short-term letting. Refused 1 November 2024”

“There is no pre-application process history.”

“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.”

“The change of use of this property to an 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.”

“− Negative impact on residential amenity. − Loss of housing stock. − Negative impact on parking. − Negative impact on community.”

“− Positive economic impact. − No negative impact on amenity. − Adheres with planning policy.”

“25/00381/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.”