The holiday let is in block on Springfield Place, Roslin.
The owner of a holiday flat in a Midlothian village has won an appeal to keep operating after councillors ruled it was not going to become a ‘party venue’.
The owner of the property on Springfield Place, Roslin, had been refused a change of use to turn it into a short term holiday let, despite having operated it for seven years and welcomed visitors from around the world.
Planners ruled the short term letting would create more noise and impact on neighbours as well as raising concerns about the loss of a long term property in the midst of a housing crisis.
However a meeting of Midlothian’s Local Review Body, saw councillors side with the applicant.
Councillor Peter Smaill told the meeting he did not believe the property, which has its own access and two bedrooms, would not become a problem for local residents.
He said: “My own feeling is that a small site like this with two inhabitants, obviously in an area of tourist interest with an external stair would be a reasonable position for permitting a short term let.
“We have had no objections from neighbours and I don’t see that a property of this sort will end of being some sort of party venue.”
The owner of the property appealed stating that she had been operating since 2017 without any issues.
She said: “As well as tourists from around the world, I have hosted friends/relatives of local families as well as new-comers to Roslin, whose new builds were not completed in time or they were in-between properties.
“I have also hosted temporary staff working at the Vet School, Bush Estate.”
She added: ” I believe I have supported tourism, local businesses and transport services in Midlothian.”
Councillor Smaill moved a motion upholding the appeal against the planners decision to refuse the change of use.
He was seconded by Councillor David Virgo who questioned how much difference there was between a longer term holiday let and short term one.
The appeal was upheld unanimously.
Robert Wilson (left) and Josh King of Gensource with their award.
Gensource, a sustainable energy services company based in Musselburgh, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘New Business of the Year’ award at the recent Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards ceremony. The event, held at Eskmills Venue on 7th March 2024, celebrated outstanding achievements and contributions of businesses in the region.
Founded in 2022 by Musselburgh resident Josh King and his business partner Robert Wilson, Gensource specialises in providing full turnkey energy solutions to its customers. From initial consultancy to designing and building sustainable energy projects, Gensource offers comprehensive services aimed at promoting abundant sustainable energy usage. The company has experienced significant growth since its inception and has successfully delivered projects across the MELCC region and beyond.
Gensource’s commitment to maximising impact in the local community and fostering strong partnerships has been evident throughout its journey. The company has actively contributed to the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce, emphasising its core value of supporting and serving the local community. Notably, Gensource’s involvement in the Chamber led to a fruitful partnership with one of its commercial clients, Melville Golf Centre, which also received recognition at the awards ceremony.
Melville Golf Centre was recognised for its innovation in business. The Centre had sought local partners to support its energy consumption goals, and Gensource stepped in to provide expertise and solutions. Through a collaborative project involving energy data analysis and the installation of a new solar PV system alongside EV charging banks, Melville Golf Centre demonstrated its commitment to reducing carbon footprint and achieving net-zero goals. The success of this project showcased the effectiveness of sustainable energy solutions in business operations and contributed to Gensource’s recognition as ‘New Business of the Year.’
The Chamber of Commerce praised Gensource for its major business opportunities in addressing the climate emergency through innovative solutions. A Chamber representative stated, “The judges were impressed with the way Gensource have seen major business opportunities in what is a climate emergency facing our society, and they are building a business dedicated to using innovative solutions to address its customers’ needs. Very impressive.”
Reflecting on their win, Robert Wilson, Commercial Director of Gensource, expressed gratitude and excitement, stating, “Winning the ‘New Business of the Year’ award is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication since our inception. It validates our vision of providing innovative solutions to address our customers’ needs and underscores the demand for our services within the local community.”
The ‘New Business of the Year’ award recognises Gensource’s significant contributions to addressing the climate emergency through its innovative approach to sustainable energy solutions. The company’s growth, stability, and vision for the future were key factors considered by the judges in selecting Gensource for this prestigious accolade.
Looking ahead, Gensource is gearing up for upcoming projects and initiatives, leveraging the recognition received from the award to further expand its operations and deliver impactful solutions in the field of sustainable energy.
SELECT warns that the competence of installers is paramount as the Scottish Government seeks to introduce new Heat in Buildings standards
Scotland’s largest construction trade body, SELECT, says the Scottish Government needs to set minimum standards of competence for installers as well as installations as it seeks to implement new domestic heating standards.
The campaigning electrical association also says that any new plans also have to take into account the capacity of the energy network as the demand for more electrically-driven technologies and basic infrastructure grows.
SELECT’s warnings came as it responded to a recent Scottish Government consultation into proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, which plans to introduce a law requiring homeowners to ensure their homes meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2033.
The body said that while it agrees in general with the proposal to prohibit the use of polluting heating systems in all buildings by 2045, care was needed that advantage was not taken of vulnerable people and that the increased cost of energy was taken into consideration.
In its response, SELECT said: “We have seen several government projects run into problems as they often leave the door open for unscrupulous traders who take advantage of the government’s own messaging as a way of convincing people that work is required when often it is not.
“Any demands for work needs to be set in the context of availability of energy supply, material supply and labour. Added to that is the increased cost of energy – the differential between gas and electric costs.”
The association added: “It is also vital that the Scottish Government legislates to ensure installations are only undertaken by properly qualified, trained and competent persons. This is as important as any other measure.”
SELECT also warned that poorer households may be less likely to install new low-carbon heating technology, since the cost of undertaking such work will be significant, particularly when the age of Scotland’s housing stock is taken into account.
Its response noted: “To get by, homeowners may take ‘sticking plaster’ actions. For instance, if a house is in a city centre, a flat or in a conservation area, then owners may take easy solutions and not, perhaps, the best solution.”
SELECT is now recommending that:
– Properties should be considered compliant once they have installed the measures appropriate for the building type
Bio energy should be permitted for those buildings already using it, and
– There should be a grace period of five years to end the use of polluting energy following a property purchase.
Its response added: “The requirement to end the use of polluting heating following a property purchase will penalise those in older properties and especially those in our society less able to pay for measures such as the disabled or elderly.
“They often have asset wealth but not cash wealth, so selling their home to, say, downsize may penalise them if purchasers are either put off from buying or are told they can only buy with a mortgage at a higher rate.”
Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT, said: “In this consultation, we are suggesting that while we support the general aim to move towards net zero, we must be careful about the danger of unintended consequences.
“Owners of properties that may find it difficult to improve their energy efficiency, particularly in buildings in areas where there are constraints to the electricity network, may be forced to install systems that are expensive or unsuitable to run.
“I know a number of local authorities that are already divesting themselves of building assets that will need considerable sums spent on them. This is already having an unintended consequence of depriving areas of meeting and events halls.”
The Scottish Government consultation – which closed on 8 March – sought views on proposed new laws around the use of heating systems in homes and businesses that would:
– Reconfirm that the use of polluting heating systems will be prohibited after 2045
– Require those purchasing a home or business premises to end their use of polluting heating systems within a fixed period following completion of the sale
– Introduce a new law that will require homeowners to make sure that their homes meet a reasonable minimum energy efficiency standard by 2033
– Require private landlords to meet this minimum energy efficiency standard by 2028.
