Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Audrey Forrest, Amanda Hampsey, Mark Irvine, Andrew Kain, and Paul Donald Kennedy.

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.

Report by Regulatory Services and Building Standards Manager

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.