Short-term let accommodation at Flat 1 27 Blair Street, Old Town, Edinburgh

“The application property is a two-bedroom, lower ground floor flat located in a six- storey residential tenement at 27 (Flat 1) Blair Street. The property shares the main door access and ground floor landing 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 April 2015. Therefore, the application is retrospective.”

“23/05087/CLESTL Flat 1 27 Blair Street Edinburgh EH1 1QR To continue operating as a Short Term Let. Refused 5 June 2024”

“23/05087/CLESTL Flat 1, 27 Blair Street Edinburgh EH1 1QR. To continue operating as a short term let. Refused 05.06.2024. Subsequently appealed to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) DPEA dismissed the appeal. 26.11.2024.”

“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.”

“However, the application property's location on the lower ground level of a six-storey tenement means guests have to share the ground floor landing and main entrance with other residential properties. The STL use would enable visitors to arrive and stay at the premises for a short period of time on a regular basis in a manner dissimilar to that of permanent residents.”

“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.”

“− Negative impact on residential amenity (including community cohesion and residents' 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.”

“25/01246/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.”

“Retrospective change of use of premises to short term let accommodation - application no.”