Question reference: S6W-01693
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 21 July 2021 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 18 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason student accommodation is an excluded accommodation type under the Town and Country Planning (Short-term Let Control Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, and what provisions are in place to prevent student accommodation premises being used as short-term lets once they have been built.
Answer
The Short-Term lets control Areas legislation applies to changes of use from a dwellinghouse to a short-term let property. As such specifically designed and purpose built student accommodation will generally not be affected by the legislation, however the reference to student accommodation was included for the avoidance of doubt and to ensure future compatibility with proposed legislation relating to the licensing of short-term let properties.
As with any other change of use, it would be for the relevant planning authority to consider whether any change of use from student accommodation to short-term lets was a material change of use in planning terms and required planning consent. It would also be for the planning authority to consider enforcement action in any case where a change of use occurred without the appropriate planning consent.