30/10/2025

Short-Term Let Planning Control Proposal Returns in Perth and Kinross Despite Previous Rejections

Perth & Kinross Council is consulting once again on a proposal to introduce a Short-Term Let Control Area across parts of Highland Perthshire and northern Eastern Perthshire – a measure that has already been considered and rejected twice.

While we support fair and proportionate regulation, there remains no clear evidence to justify introducing a control area at this time. The circumstances have not materially changed since the previous decisions, and it is important that policy is led by data rather than repetition.

Short-term lets make up just 1.7% of all properties in Perth and Kinross – a very small proportion of local housing stock. By comparison, 3.5% of homes sit empty, representing a much larger and growing issue.

In Dunkeld and Birnam, Council figures have overstated the extent of short-term letting – reporting 15% saturation, when independent analysis shows the true figure is closer to 5.7%. Accurate, up-to-date data should underpin any major policy decision.

The self-catering sector contributes more than £52 million annually to the local economy, supporting small businesses and local employment. Yet there are more than double the number of empty homes than short-term lets within Perth and Kinross. Addressing that imbalance would have a far greater impact on housing availability.

Highland Perthshire’s housing needs will not be met by restricting tourism microbusinesses, but by building more homes, tackling second homes, and ensuring an evidence-led approach to planning reform.

We encourage the Council to work collaboratively with local communities and the tourism sector to find balanced, practical solutions – such as bringing empty homes back into use and accelerating housebuilding – that protect both housing supply and the rural economy.

The ASSC is urging businesses to respond to this consultation by 22nd December 2025 and has prepared some guidance on how to respond below:

Guidance for Members: Responding to the Consultation

When responding to the Council’s consultation, members are encouraged to:

Emphasise key facts

Only 1.7% of homes in Perth & Kinross are short-term lets – a tiny proportion of total housing stock.
3.5% of homes sit empty – over twice as many as short-term lets.
In Dunkeld & Birnam, Council data inflated short-term let numbers (claimed 15%, actual 5.7%).
Self-catering tourism adds £52 million annually to the local economy and supports hundreds of microbusinesses.
There are more than double the number of empty homes than STLs in the area.

Question the evidence base

Ask why the Council is pursuing a policy that has already been rejected twice.
Point out that no new data or material evidence has emerged since those decisions.
Challenge the accuracy and transparency of the data underpinning the proposal.
Ask for clarity on how a control area would actually deliver additional housing supply.

Promote constructive alternatives

Call for targeted action on empty homes and second homes, not small businesses.
Advocate for accelerated affordable housebuilding and rural housing investment.
Encourage collaboration between the tourism and housing sectors to balance community and economic needs.

Tone and approach

Keep responses measured, respectful, and factual.
Emphasise that members support proportionate regulation but oppose disproportionate controls that lack evidence.
Encourage collaboration, not confrontation – and promote solutions that work for both communities and the local economy.

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