**Planning permission granted for two more short-term lets in Pitlochry**
In response to a shortage of permanent accommodation in Pitlochry, planning permission has been approved for two additional short-term lets. The decision comes after Perth and Kinross Council rejected a proposal to establish a short-term let control area in Highland Perthshire. This move has reduced the council’s ability to regulate short-term lets in the area. Despite this setback, councillors recently greenlit the development of two holiday units in Pitlochry, a town facing a scarcity of affordable long-term housing options.
Bailie Mike Williamson, who represents the Highland Perthshire ward, supported the approval of the plans. He expressed disappointment over the rejection of the control zone proposal, stating that it could have empowered officers to better manage the number of short-term lets in tourist hotspots. The approved plans include converting Lagreach Cottage, a historic 19th-century stone cottage off Atholl Road, into one-bedroom and two-bedroom accommodation units. The cottage has been unoccupied for the past five years and was previously used as staff quarters for a local hotel.
Despite objections raised by nine individuals citing concerns such as an oversaturation of holiday lets, noise, and lack of privacy, the applicants defended their proposal by highlighting the property’s current uninhabitable state and the need for substantial investment. Independent councillor Dave Cuthbert proposed approving the application but removing the condition for exclusive holiday accommodation use, which was seconded by Cllr Bob Brawn. Ultimately, the application was approved with conditions outlined in the officers’ report, with a vote of six in favor and four against.
In summary, the decision to grant planning permission for additional short-term lets in Pitlochry reflects the ongoing challenges faced by the local community in balancing tourism needs with long-term housing solutions. The debate surrounding short-term let regulation is likely to continue as stakeholders navigate the delicate balance between economic opportunities and residential stability in popular tourist destinations like Pitlochry.