Short-term let accommodation at PF1 9 Marchmont Street, Marchmont, Edinburgh

“Planning permission is sought for a retrospective change of use from residential flatted dwelling to a short term let (sui generis). No external or internal alterations are proposed.”

“The application form details that the use of the property as a short term let started in July 2020.”

“The application property is a ground-floor flatted dwelling within a 4-storey, 4-bay tenement. It comprises two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, utility room, kitchen, and bathroom. Access is via a communal main door shared with seven other flatted dwellings and the property has direct access from its kitchen at the rear to the communal garden for the tenement.”

“The property forms part of a category B listed building (reference: LB30573, date of listing: 19/03/1993) and is in the Marchmont, Meadows and Bruntsfield Conservation Area.”

“23/05544/CLESTL PF1 9 Marchmont Street Edinburgh EH9 1EL Application for the issue of a certificate of lawfulness confirming its existing use and a short-term let visitor accommodation. Refused 22 October 2024”

“Conclusion in relation to the Development Plan…”

“The change of use of the 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.”

“The two bedroomed STL use would introduce an increased frequency of movement to the property and communal tenement hallway. It would enable visitors to arrive and stay at the property for a short period of time on a regular basis in a manner dissimilar to that of permanent residents.”

“Notwithstanding this, it remains that there would be a change of occupancy on a more regular basis than typical residential use. Given the property is in a tenement within a residential street and it has direct private access to a communal rear garden the proposed 21-night minimum stay would still result in the potential of an occupancy pattern that has a materially negative impact on neighbouring amenity.”

“− Negative impact on listed building status. − Negative impact on conservation area regarding the preservation of its residential character. − Residential area. − Detrimental effects on local amenity from noise and disturbance and negative impact on sense of security and community cohesion within the tenement block. − The shared garden further amplifies concerns regarding noise.”

“25/01104/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.”