Could holiday accommodation worsen housing crisis?

NEARLY 700 properties in the Stewartry are being rented out to holidaymakers — sparking concerns this is worsening the region’s housing crisis. Dumfries and Galloway Council has made impressive progress in processing short-term let licences to meet Scottish Government targets. However, at Stewartry area committee last week, Dee and Glenkens Councillor Andy McFarlane questioned whether the sheer volume of properties being used for holiday letting was adding to pressures over a lack of housing in the region. He said: “There are now 681 properties within the area licensed for holiday letting and short-term letting – in the midst of us having a housing crisis and a number of homelessness issues. “Is there any way we can manage this and perhaps restrict them in certain areas?” Jamie Little, the council’s strategic housing and regeneration team leader, replied: “In terms of licences in the Stewartry area, it’s certainly an area where we see a significant number of short-term lets — some of the highest proportions in Dumfries and Galloway, particularly for restrictions.” Mr Little explained the licensing scheme has now been running for three years, with four years of preparation before that. He said: “We expect the majority of short-term lets operating within Dumfries and Galloway have now been identified and have applied for licences.” He outlined the option of short-term let control zones — used by other councils to require new operators to obtain planning permission before applying for a licence. The council officer said: “Edinburgh City Council has put a blanket short-term let control zone across the whole council area. Highland Council have put in place six areas where they have seen pressures. They have some really severe problems in comparison to Dumfries and Galloway.” However, Mr Little underlined the difficulty of striking the right balance: “It’s a very tricky balance, recognising the region does benefit significantly from tourism. “And we’re obviously working really hard to resolve some of the other housing emergency pressures.” He also offered some reassurance to existing operators, confirming any future restrictions would not affect those already licensed, saying: “Any restrictions would only come on anybody who was applying in the future.”