Report presented to the Dingwall and Seaforth Committee
A Highland Council report has confirmed that the Dingwall and Seaforth Ward area does not currently face the level of housing pressure from short term lets (STLs) required to justify progressing the creation of a Short Term Let Control Area.
Members of the Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee confirmed the findings at their meeting earlier today (Thursday 27 November 2025). The report assesses the prevalence of short term lets across the area and the potential impact on housing availability, affordability and local communities.
The analysis shows that:
- Only 2% of potential dwellings in Dingwall and Seaforth are used as short term lets – significantly lower than the Highland-wide average of 5%.
- New home completions becoming STLs is exceptionally low, at 0.4%, compared with 5% across Highland.
- Most local house sales are to people already living within the Highland Council area, indicating no significant external market pressure.
- While a small number of data zones show recent growth in STLs, numbers remain very small in real terms.
- The local Area Place Plan makes no specific reference to concerns around short term lets.
On this basis, the report concluded that a Short Term Let Control Area is not justified at this time. However, Members agreed that the evidence base be reviewed again in 12 months to monitor any emerging trends.
Councillor Graham McKenzie, Chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee, said: “This evidence gives us a clear picture of the current situation, and it shows that short term lets are not having a significant impact on housing availability in Dingwall and Seaforth. While some areas of Highland face pressures, that is not the case here at present.
“We will however, continue to keep this under close review and base any future decisions on any emerging evidence.”
The Committee agreed to agree that no further action is taken at this stage and that an updated report is brought back to the Committee in a year’s time.