Planning permission has been granted for a holiday house in an area this month touted as Britain’s Airbnb hotspot.
Highland Perthshire has seen a surge in holiday lets in recent years and a shortage of affordable housing.
Councillors unanimously granted approval but with the condition it was temporary and has a noise management plan.
Applicant Seona Kirby - who lives abroad - sought permission to let out Tatha View at 4 Braes of Taymouth, Kenmore for short-term lets with occasional personal use.
The application went before Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, August 10.
The four-bedroomed house - accommodating up to eight people - was recommended by officers to be granted planning permission to be used as a holiday let.
A planning officer explained to the committee all flats in Perth and Kinross require planning permission to be used as holiday accommodation but that it is only needed in “some instances” for houses.
He said: “In Perth and Kinross all flats being used for short-term lets require to have planning permission.
“Each house is considered on its own merits. And that’s down to whether it affects the character or amenity of the area.”
There were six letters of objection - including one from Kenmore Community Council who objected on the grounds of a shortage in residential accommodation.
Concerns were also raised about noise and the impact on the village.
Over the past year or two a number of Highland Perthshire businesses have struggled with staff shortages. A lack of affordable housing has been partly blamed for the issue.
An investigation by The Guardian newspaper - published the very day of the planning meeting - reported Rannoch and Aberfeldy had the highest concentration of Airbnbs in Great Britain at a rate of 36/100 homes.
Bailie Mike Williamson represents Highland Perthshire.
The SNP councillor put forward a proposal to approve the application but on a temporary basis of two years.
Explaining his reasoning he said: “The rationale is we are in the process of trying to introduce licences and I don’t think we have got any real grip at the moment of how many houses are available for short-term lets within a given area and the disproportionate effect it is having on the local population.
“I feel by awarding a temporary licence rather than a full licence we can actually return to this once we have a greater understanding of the range of short-term lets within the given area.”
PKC is due to introduce a short-term licensing scheme on October 1, 2022 in line with Scottish Government legislation. Kinross-shire SNP councillor Richard Watters seconded Bailie Williamson’s amendment.
Bailie Claire McLaren put forward an amendment for a noise management plan to be conditioned in. Convener Ian Massie had put forward a motion for approval seconded by councillor Bob Brawn. Following discussion the convener and Cllr Brawn agreed to incorporate both amendments into the motion.
The committee agreed to grant planning permission for the house to be used as a holiday let for two years with the condition of a noise management plan.
Following the approval of the holiday let, Strathtay councillor Ian James said: “I’m very conscious while we go for holiday accommodation it reduces accommodation for residents. I don’t know if there’s anything we can do?”
A planning officer once again confirmed PKC is looking at introducing a short-term let control areas.
He said: “The council are looking at the implementation of short-term let control areas. There are none of them in place yet and they will go through the relevant consultation procedure with local communities.”
