Short-term let at 14A Stafford Street, New Town, Edinburgh

“The application is for a change of use from flatted residential to short term let (sui generis). No internal or external physical changes are proposed. The applicant has confirmed that the rear garden area does not, in this submission, form part of the planning unit and has been removed entirely from the red line site boundary. The property has been used for short term let since September 2017, therefore the application is retrospective.”

“The application property is a basement flat located within a terraced townhouse row at 14A Stafford Street in the west end of the city centre. The application property comprises two double-bedrooms with a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. The property has its own main door entrance and is accessed from steps leading down from Stafford Street. There are no shared outdoor amenity spaces.”

“The application property forms part of a B listed building (ref: LB 29830: date of listing 14.12.1970) and is in the New Town Conservation Area and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.”

“25/00227/FULSTL 14A Stafford Street Edinburgh EH3 7AU Retrospective change of use of residential flat to short-term let STL (Sui Generis). Refused 4 April 2025”

“24/04253/CLESTL 14A Stafford Street New Town Edinburgh EH3 7AU Short-term Let. withdrawn 23 September 2024”

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

“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 loss of residential accommodation. The proposal does not comply with NPF policy 30(e) (ii). There are no material considerations that outweigh this conclusion. The proposal is unacceptable.”

“A total of 28 representations have been received, 27 in support and one objection. It is noted that two commenters in support have submitted duplicate comments. An objection has been received from the West End Community Council. A summary of all the representations is provided below: -”

“25/03922/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.”

“The proposal is contrary to National Planning Framework 4 Policy 30(e) (ii) in respect of Loss of Residential Accommodation, as the loss of a residential property has not been justified.”