Thursday March 28th 2024
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.
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