Short-term let accommodation at 1F2 5 East London Street, Broughton, Edinburgh

“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.”

“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 August 2015. Therefore, the application is retrospective.”

“The application property is a two-bedroom flat on the first floor at 5 (1F2) East London Street. The property shares its access to the street via a communal stair with other properties. The shared entrance is at the corner of East London Street and the foot of Broughton Street adjacent to the large roundabout. The entrance door sits between a public house and a restaurant.”

“The application property forms part of a category B listed building (LB 45942, date of listing: 10/03/1999). It is in the New Town Conservation Area.”

“23/05850/CLESTL 1F2 5 East London Street Edinburgh EH7 4BN Application for the issue of a certificate of lawfulness confirming its existing use as a short-term let visitor accommodation. withdrawn 14 May 2024”

“Pending planning enforcement investigation into alleged unauthorised change of use from residential to short term let (reference 23/00856/ESHORT).”

“However, the use of the property as an STL would introduce an increased frequency of movement to the property, shared stairwell, and main entrance. Although, the supporting information states that this is the first flat door encountered in the stair, due to commercial properties being on the ground floor, guests are still required to share the front entrance door and ground and first floor landings with residents 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.”

“25/01050/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.”