Councillor Altany Craik

This consultation aims to gather public opinion on the principle of implementing control areas within which short-term lets would need planning permission. 

In April 2021, new legislation was introduced allowing councils in Scotland to designate all or part of their area as a Short-term Let Control Area. Any areas proposed must receive approval from the Scottish Government. 

Should a Short-term Let Control Area be approved, property owners who let out properties that are not their principal homes on a short-term basis would need to apply for ‘change of use’ approval through the planning application process. This requirement would apply only to new changes of use and would not be applied retrospectively. 

It is important to note that this measure does not constitute a blanket ban on short-term lets. Instead, it ensures that changes of use to secondary short-term lets are regulated under planning laws, allowing decisions to be made in accordance with the council’s local development plan and other relevant considerations. 

Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council spokesperson – Finance, Economy and Strategic Planning, said: “Tourism is vital to our local economy, but it’s equally important to balance this with the needs of our residents. Short-term lets can provide valuable accommodation options for visitors, yet they must be managed in a way that supports the community’s long-term sustainability.  

“We need your views to ensure we strike the right balance and make informed decisions that benefit everyone.” 

Fiona Campbell MBE, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: “There is no robust evidence to support a short-term let control area across Fife or within specific parts of the local authority. Once again, we need facts not finger pointing.

“The self-catering sector plays a vital role in supporting local economies, providing an annual £80m boost to Fife while supporting over 2,700 jobs. Introducing unnecessary planning restrictions risks damaging these small businesses, reducing visitor accommodation, and weakening Fife’s tourism offer – all without delivering any meaningful improvements to housing availability.

“Put simply, you can’t solve a housing crisis by producing a crisis in tourism by decimating local businesses. Rather than scapegoating, attention must shift to the real causes of the housing crisis, including the thousands of economically inactive empty homes across Fife.

“The ASSC strongly encourages stakeholders in Fife to respond to the consultation before the 8th September deadline. It’s crucial that the council hears from those who understand the economic and community contribution that responsible and professional self-catering provides.”

Residents are encouraged to participate in the online survey to provide their views on this important issue. The survey closes on 8 September 2025.

For more information on short-term lets and planning, and to complete the survey, please visit the website.