Lochaber Committee recommends short-term let control area

The Lochaber Area Committee has recommended that the region be included in a proposed Highland Rural Short-Term Let Control Area (STLCA) to address local housing challenges. The recommendation follows a public consultation where 60% of respondents supported the proposal, with particularly strong support from local residents and businesses.

If approved by the Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee and subsequently by Scottish Ministers, the STLCA would require residential properties to obtain planning permission before being converted into secondary short-term lets. The measure is not a blanket ban; it would not affect existing lawful operators or purpose-built tourism accommodation.

Data presented to the committee indicates that nearly 10% of homes in Lochaber are currently used as short-term lets, which is double the Highland average. Additionally, 46% of residents reported being unable to afford entry-level properties.