Kate Forbes MSP urges Highlanders to respond to new short-term lets licensing consultation with focus on 'facts rather unfounded fears'
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Scotland's finance minister and MSP, Kate Forbes, is urging fellow Highlanders to have their say on a proposed licensing scheme for short-term lets.
Though the planning control area section of Scottish Government legislation passed earlier this year, following concerns from the tourism industry the licensing part of the proposals were deferred to allow further discussion.
The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP is now encouraging interested parties to participate in Holyrood’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s online consultation – which has a deadline of 29 October 2021.
The committee has said it expects the plans to be considered in the parliament later this year.
Ms Forbes said: “Having been contacted by scores of constituents about the matter, I am well-aware of the strength of feeling on both sides of the short-term lets debate.
“Whilst it is a complex and multi-faceted problem with no easy answers, I hope that the debate centres around facts rather unfounded fears.
“If we are serious about tackling the West Highland housing crisis, then I believe that this needs to be a much broader discussion than previously.
“I would encourage everyone with an interest to take the time to fully read the proposals and make their voice heard.
“The Scottish Government has been clear that a very basic health and safety scheme will be established, as is the case for nearly every other business and sector in Scotland. and this will likely be the last opportunity for the various stakeholder groups – be it tourism accommodation providers or those who can’t find a place to stay in their home area – to comment and help shape the final proposal.”
The online consultation paper can be found at https://yourviews.parliament.scot/spice/licensing-of-short-term-lets/
