Short-term let control zones take step forward in Highlands

Control zones for short-term accommodation lets in Inverness and rural parts of the Highlands could now be a step closer following a public consultation.

Councillors hope it will help tackle the region’s serious housing shortage.

The proposals will now be considered by Scottish Government ministers.

Owners would not apply retrospectively and the proposals would not prohibit short-term letting.

Instead, it would ensure that any future change of use from residential housing to secondary short-term lets would be subject to planning controls.

The council will submit the proposed “Inverness city” and “Highland rural short-term let control areas” to ministers for their consideration.

Once a decision is made, a further report will be brought back to the council’s economy committee setting out any implementation arrangements including potential start dates.

If approved by ministers, any future conversion of a residential property to a secondary short-term let within the control areas would require planning permission.

The rural control area would cover Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness South, Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, Lochaber, Skye and Raasay and Sutherland.

The six-week consultation was held in May and June, attracting just over 800 responses.

Conservative group leader Ruraidh Stewart told committee colleagues a six-week consultation was insufficient.

He was the only member opposed to progressing the let zones but failed to get a seconder to force a vote.

The council considers control areas “an important tool in helping to manage future loss of housing stock, support community sustainability and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.”

Economy committee chairman Ken Gowans said: “Today’s decision is the result of extensive and rigorous process that accurately reflects the recommendations made by each area committee across Highland.

“It’s not about stopping short-term lets or affecting existing operators. It’s about ensuring that future conversions of residential properties can be properly considered through the planning system.”