Venue: By Microsoft Teams
Contact: Fiona McCallum Tel. No. 01546 604392
No. | Item |
---|---|
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Audrey Forrest, Amanda Hampsey, Mark Irvine, Andrew Kain, and Paul Donald Kennedy. |
|
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Minutes: Councillor Peter Wallace, prior to consideration of item 3 (Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing Of Short-Term Lets) Order 2022: Application For Grant Of A Short-Term Let Licence (Bute Island Developments Ltd)) on the agenda, advised that he had recently dealt with the Applicant in a business setting, and noted that the Applicant owns a property in the same building as Councillor Wallace’s business. He advised that he would leave the meeting during discussion and deliberation of the item. |
|
Having declared an interest in the following item of business, Councillor Wallace left the meeting and took no part in discussion of this item. |
|
CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982, THE CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982 (LICENSING OF SHORT-TERM LETS) ORDER 2022: APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF A SHORT-TERM LET LICENCE (BUTE ISLAND DEVELOPMENTS LTD) Report by Regulatory Services and Building Standards Manager Minutes: The
Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. In line with recent legislation for
Civic Government Hearings, the parties (and any representatives) were given the
options for participating in the meeting today. The options available were by
video call, by audio call or by written submission. For this hearing the
Applicant opted to proceed by way of video call and Mr Crichton joined the
meeting by MS Teams. Mr
Graham, Objector, also opted to proceed by way of video call and joined the
meeting by MS Teams. Mr
and Mrs Forrester, Objectors, opted to proceed by way of written submission and
a copy of this was included in the Agenda pack for this meeting. It
was noted that Mr Liddell, Objector, had also been invited to attend the
meeting but was unable to do so. The
Chair outlined the procedure that would be followed and invited the Licensing
Standards Officer to speak to the terms of the report. The
Chair then invited the Applicant to speak in support of the application. APPLICANT The
Applicant, Mr Crichton, provided an overview of the work of Bute Island
Developments (BID), and the work of ‘On Tranquil Shores’, who specialise in
providing quality accommodation in tranquil settings,promoting
relaxing, peaceful breaks. Mr
Crichton advised that the company aimed to provide high-end properties for
families and groups to enjoy luxurious breaks in nature. He noted that the
company aimed to promote Argyll and Bute, and to encourage people to travel to
the area to enjoy the setting. Mr
Crichton advised that he had reviewed the objections in detail, and had also
attended an onsite visit with one of the Council’s Licensing Standards Officers
to alleviate concerns raised. He advised that the company did not wish to cause
any inconvenience or disruption. Mr
Crichton highlighted that concerns around parking had been addressed by
widening the driveway to allow an additional parking space, as well as clearing
the garage to allow for an additional parking space. He advised that it had
been possible for staff to turn a long wheelbase van in the turning circle, and
so it was unlikely that there would be any need for guests to reverse down the
driveway. Mr
Crichton confirmed that the listing for the property would advise that no
events or parties of any description could be held there, and that the property
would be aimed at families. He also advised there would be a quiet period in
place for guests between 10pm-7am, to ensure that there was no excessive noise
or outside activities. He noted that a guest information pack would be
available at the property to remind guests of these rules, and a contact number
would be provided to the occupants of neighbouring properties in case of any
issues. Mr
Crichton advised that he found that guests in the area were very respectful,
and he had received no complaints in relation to the other properties that the
company managed in the area. He highlighted that there was a vetting process in
place through AirBnB to ensure that only quality guests were accepted to stay
at the property. QUESTIONS FROM OBJECTORS Mr
Graham, Objector, advised that increasing the parking spaces to accommodate 4
cars, only increased concerns from neighbours that there would be a large
number of people at the property. He advised that a neighbour had highlighted
to him that he did not feel that the new parking space which had been created
would be large enough to accommodate a vehicle. He asked if a turning circle
would still be available if 4 cars were parked at the property. Mr
Crichton advised that a photo of a Jeep parked in the newly created space had been
provided for the Committee’s attention. He confirmed that it would be possible
for a car to turn in the turning circle if there were 4 cars parked at the
property. Mr
Graham noted that the company would be relying on AirBnB to vet potential
guests, despite AirBnB not having a very good reputation. He advised that
ratings referring to how a guest treats a property did not guarantee that the
person would behave well. He noted that if guests were to go out in the area,
there was likely to be noise in the evenings when they returned to the
property. Mr
Graham advised that the property is in a quiet conservation area, and access to
the property is via a narrow lane between two neighbouring properties. He noted
that anyone walking up to the property could see into his own garden, and a
large number of people doing this would violate his privacy. He noted that as a
short term let, there was likely to be a lot of different people at the
property, and there was no guarantee that these people would be well behaved. Mr
Graham noted that, although the listing may state no parties or events, people
do not always tell the truth, and they may host celebrations there. He noted
that, as the property is able to accommodate up to 12 people, it is unlikely
that these people would be from one family. He noted that all of these issues
provided him with concern, and he would like to be able to enjoy his garden in
peace and quiet outwith designated quiet hours. Mr Graham asked, as there would be no one onsite to monitor the AirBnB, how neighbours could contact the Applicant to resolve any issues which may arise. Mr Crichton advised that a contact number would be provided to neighbours in case of any issues, and although this support may not be available 24/7, any issues would be resolved as soon as possible. He advised that AirBnB allows hosts to rate guests, and if any guests were poorly behaved, there would be a mechanism in place for hosts to give them a bad rating. He advised that this would also ensure that any guests staying in the property had been respectful of properties that they had stayed ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |