Short-term let accommodation at 6 Abbey Mount, Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

“Retrospective planning permission is sought for the change of use from a residential flatted dwelling to a short term let (STL). The applicant indicates on the application form that the STL use began on 01 January 2017.”

“The applicant has provided an economic report and a supporting planning statement.”

“This application relates to a one-bedroom ground floor flatted property. It comprises a living room, kitchen/dining, one bedroom, and a bathroom and is entered via a private garden and door to the front. The application property adjoins two neighbouring residential properties with this including the property directly above on the first floor of the property and adjoining at the rear wall of the property, at 5 Abbey Mount.”

“The property is set within a private cul-de-sac with a gated entrance adjacent to the main thoroughfare of Abbey Mount. The cul-de-sac is small and serves access to a mix of commercial and residential including the two-storey residential building the application property forms part of, two commercial garages situated approximately 15 metres to the east of the application property and the rear entrance of 11 STL units (Abbey Gate) located around…”

“24/02429/CLESTL 6 Abbey Mount Edinburgh EH8 8EJ Application for the issue of a Certificate of Lawfulness confirming its existing use and a short-term let visitor accommodation. Refused 28 January 2025”

“23/03614/FULSTL was refused and appealed to the Local Review Body (LRB) on 24 April 2024. The LRB upheld the officer's recommendation due to the loss of residential accommodation and removed the reason for refusal relating to Hou 7 in respect of Inappropriate Uses in Residential Areas.”

“It is recommended that this application be Refused subject to the details below.”

“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 loss of residential accommodation.”

“The application property has a private garden ground to the front which is overlooked by the neighbouring residential unit above. This private garden may be used by STL guests in a manner dissimilar to that of permanent residents and the STL use would introduce an increased frequency of movement to and from the property, enabling visitors to arrive and stay at the property for a short period of time on a regular basis throughout the year in a manner also dissimilar to that…”

“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.”

“- Loss of residential accommodation. - Negative impact on residential amenity. - Property shares access and common space with other residential properties.”

“- The STL use complies with the licensing requirements. - No negative impact on residential amenity. - The property is located in a busy mixed-use area, therefore, STL use is acceptable. - Positive economic benefit.”

“25/02313/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. 4.4 – Flat 2, 1 Allanfield, Hillside…”