We understand that the Cairngorms National Park Authority will consider The Highland Council’s Non-Statutory Short-Term Let Control Area Planning Policy V1.4 on 26th January 2024. We commend any appetite to review guidance to reflect the outcome of the recent Judicial Review against City of Edinburgh Council and an understanding of the urgency to give clarity and reassurance to legitimate businesses that are vital to the local economy and community of Ward 20: Badenoch & Strathspey.
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has written to the Highland Council offering a balanced, reasonable, proportionate and lawful solution to the current challenge, which would provide reassurance to legitimate businesses that find themselves in an impossible situation currently.
We see this as an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and move forward with STL legislation, which can still be viewed as a success for all parties involved, confirming the commitment made by the Council to regulate the sector.
The ASSC believes that the Council now has the necessary tools to fairly and effectively regulate short-term lets and it should amend the proposed policy and guidance as soon as practically possible to reflect the recent legal judgements and make the requirements of existing operators absolutely clear. As ever, the self-catering industry, which contributes so much to the local economy, stands ready to work with The Highland Council in a constructive and positive manner and welcomes any further dialogue in preparation for the upcoming considerations.