Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs)
The Highland Council has agreed to submit proposals for two Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) to Scottish Ministers following extensive public consultation and consideration by local area committees.
At today’s special meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee (28 September), Members approved the submission of proposals for:
- An Inverness City Short Term Let Control Area, covering Inverness and surrounding areas; and
- A Highland Rural Short Term Let Control Area, covering Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness South, Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, Lochaber, Skye and Raasay, and Sutherland.
The proposals follow a six-week statutory consultation undertaken between May and June 2026, which attracted more than 800 responses from residents, businesses, community organisations and short term let operators.
Support among residents was strong, with 84% of residents and businesses supporting the Inverness City proposal and 72% supporting the Highland Rural proposal.
The Highland Council considers the proposed designation of control areas to be an important tool in helping to manage future loss of housing stock, support community sustainability and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.
Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to engage with this process, whether through the formal consultation, attending our public events, participating in webinars or submitting written views. We received a wide range of opinions, and the feedback has played an important role in informing our decision taken today.
“Todays decision is the result of extensive and rigorous process that accurately reflects the recommendations made by each Area Committee across Highland. The decision is not about stopping short term lets or affecting existing operators. It is about ensuring that future conversions of residential properties can be properly considered through the planning system.”
The proposed control areas would not apply retrospectively and would not prohibit short-term letting. Instead, they would ensure that future changes of use from residential housing to secondary short-term lets are subject to planning controls.
The next step is for the Council to submit the proposed Inverness City and Highland Rural Short Term Let Control Areas to Scottish Ministers for their consideration. Once a decision is received, a further report will be brought back to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee setting out the outcome and any implementation arrangements, including potential start dates.
If approved by Scottish Ministers, any future conversion of a residential property to a secondary short term let within the designated control areas would require planning permission. Existing operators would continue to operate under the current arrangements unless planning permission would already have been required under existing planning legislation.
Further information on the proposals and consultation process is available on The Highland Council website.