SHORT-TERM LET LICENSING IN SCOTLAND
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) write to the Scottish Government seeking support to address outstanding issues relating to short-term let licensing
In light of the 6 month extension in terms of short-term let licensing, Fiona Campbell, ASSC CEO has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison to ask that the Scottish Government use the time to take stock and assess the impacts related to the regulations, and then to work constructively to ameliorate the outstanding issues.
The letter has also been sent to the following:
- Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP
- Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee MSP
- Paul Mclennan, MSP East Lothian
- Euan Donald, Local Government Committee
- Local Government Committee
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) welcomes the recent announcement that the Scottish Government will provide a six-month extension for existing operators in terms of short-term let licensing applications, as set out in your letter (7 December) to the Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Committee.
This has been warmly received by our membership as it provides much needed reprieve during challenging times for business. However, real and pressing concerns still remain about short-term let licensing and we hope that we can work in partnership with the Scottish Government and local councils to resolve these for the benefit of Scotland’s tourism sector.
The ASSC further believes that the delay provides an opportunity to take stock, assess the impacts related to the regulations, and then work constructively to ameliorate the outstanding issues. Many councils have now published their finalised schemes. From our analysis of Scotland’s 32 local councils, we have concerns in relation to:
- The various discrepancies seen across local authority areas, including on fees, layout plans etc;
- Council licensing policies which are ultra vires in nature; and
- Instances where planning considerations going too far;
More broadly, we have reservations regarding:
- Barriers to investment; and
- New operators having to wait to open until a licence is granted.