Short-term let accommodation at Flat 7A 5 Ramsay Garden, 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 has advised that the property has been used as a short term let since November 2021. Therefore, the application is retrospective.”

“The application property is a two-bedroom flat on the fourth floor of a six-storey tenement block at 5 Ramsay Garden, off Castlehill. The property has a roof terrace leading off the open-plan kitchen and shares its access and communal stairs with other flats.”

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

“24/04965/CLESTL Flat 7A 5 Ramsay Garden Old Town Edinburgh EH1 2NA Application for the issue of a Certificate of Lawfulness confirming its existing use and a short-term let visitor accommodation. Refused 2 April 2025”

“Pending planning enforcement investigation into alleged unauthorised change of use from residential to short term let (reference 24/00564/ESHORT).”

“As there is a mix of uses in the surrounding area, there is a fairly high ambient noise level. Consequently, the introduction of an STL use in this location will have no further deterioration in the amenity of the surrounding area. However, the use of the property as an STL would introduce an increased frequency of movement to the property, shared stairwell, main entrance, shared courtyard and private residents' garden.”

“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.”

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

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

“25/01259/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.”