Category: Legislation
National Planning Framework 4
During the debate on the NPF4 following the Minister’s statement yesterday, Alexander Stewart MSP mentioned the ASSC’s submission during his contribution:
“We can all agree that principles such as ensuring a just transition, promoting local living and revitalising rural communities fully deserve to be placed at the centre of this important framework. Indeed, given the importance of NPF4, it is perhaps disappointing that stakeholders were not given more time to fully scrutinise the proposals. Certain stakeholders, such as the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers and Heads of Planning Scotland, have even suggested that the process has felt rushed. Planning authorities need clarity about the direction of NPF4, but it is important that stakeholders are fully involved at each stage of the process and that they are given enough time to fully reflect…
…I will touch on how the framework might affect small businesses, and particularly those in the tourism sector. The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has pointed out that the traditional self-catering sector is already facing an increased burden due to the introduction of the short-term lets licensing scheme. Policy 30 and the further restrictions that it might impose on the sector risk adding a further regulatory burden. That is not where we want to be when we are trying to support small businesses.
In taking NPF4 forward, the Government must ensure that it carefully considers how policy 30 will work in practice and whether the self-catering sector will be able to properly thrive. Members on the Conservative benches have made it clear that NPF4 must be a framework that protects the interests of local communities. It must deliver on housing and on environmental and biodiversity goals, and it must achieve that while ensuring that businesses have the freedom that they need to fully prosper. They need to survive and thrive, and the framework should be there to ensure that they do that. However, certain areas in NPF4 are causing businesses real concern.”
Source: https://archive2021.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=14081
Hard work pays off for ASSC after Government rethink
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) achieved a notable victory in early December when the Scottish Government announced earlier that it will delay its plans for short-term let licensing for existing operators.
The Government has agreed to push back a deadline for operators to apply for a licence until after the end of September next year after fears were raised about the new rules having a crippling impact on Edinburgh’s major cultural events.
The delay means people who have rented out their property for the festivals will still be able to do so in 2023.
This six-month extension was only made possible after pressure applied by the ASSC and other tourism stakeholders due to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the industry.
Small accommodation providers were enduring onerous and expensive red tape just to continue what they had been doing for decades. This additional expense, in the context of Covid recovery and the cost crisis, placed severe pressure on the sector.
Operators were faced by eye-watering fees in a confusing and inconsistent system, jeopardising jobs and livelihoods in an important part of Scotland’s tourism industry.
The self-catering sector boosts the Scottish economy by £867m per annum, supporting 24,000 jobs. It provides a vital source of alternative accommodation for major events like the Edinburgh Festivals whose future viability remains at risk due to draconian short-term let regulations.
Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the ASSC, which has also been lobbying the Government for a rethink over the new legislation, said:
“We are pleased our hard work, as well as the efforts from our friends across the Scottish tourism industry, has resulted in this development.
“We have been pressing hard for a pause to the implementation of the scheme due to the cost-of-living crisis, so it’s good to know our voices are being heard. We do see this as progress and will continue to push forward on behalf of our members. However, we know there’s lots of work still to do to.”
ASSC members wholeheartedly welcomed the news:
“May I offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the work you have done on our behalf, this makes an incredible difference to us as a business…and, if I may, say it is the best Christmas present we could receive.”
“As an organisation, your tenacity and diligence throughout has been outstanding and I’m sure I speak for many others as well as myself when I say we are so very grateful to you all.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-63916032
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/reprieve-for-festivals-over-short-term-lets-h6rt0sxqp
https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/six-month-extension-to-short-term-let-licensing-scheme